Restauranteur Accused Of Running Drug Trafficking Operation

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A federal grand jury indictment accuses the former owner of a suburban Twin Cities Mexican restaurant chain of using his business to hide a long-running drug trafficking operation.

The indictment unsealed this week accuses Aldo Escoto of running a six-year operation that trafficked cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana. Prosecutors say Escoto used workers from Mexico and Central America to staff the El Parian restaurants in Eagan, Long Lake and Lakeville. The 38-year-old Escoto no longer owns the restaurants and could not be reached for comment because he remains at large.

Court documents say Escoto used the restaurants to launder illicit proceeds and occasionally conduct drug deals. The 46-count indictment also names two co-conspirators.