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U.S. Attorney: Meth Found In Home Of Mpls. Man Facing Conspiracy Charges

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A Minneapolis man already facing conspiracy charges is now also facing charges for allegedly possessing methamphetamine.

Abbas Ateia Al Hussainawee, 40, has been charged with conspiracy to engage with interstate transportation of stolen goods and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger, Al Hussainawee was allegedly acting as a runner for members of the Mustafa Organization.

"In August, my office charged 20 defendants with conspiracy to steal and sell mobile devices on the underground market," Luger said.

According to the criminal complaint, the Mustafa Organization illegally obtained cell phones and other mobile devices through runners from 2006 to 2014.

The runners would steal or obtain the devices and sell them to the organization.

According to the criminal complaint, Al Hussainawee obtained the devices by breaking into the stores.

Luger said Al Hussainawee would break into a store that was located next to one selling phones, or other devices. Once inside, he would break through the wall the stores shared.

He specifically targeted strip malls.

According to the criminal complaint, Al Hussainawee broke into a Best Buy in Maplewood on Nov. 27, 2012. He stole 48 cell phones, 20 iPads and five tablet computers.

In March of 2014, he broke into a Verizon store in Menomonie, Wis. and stole $32,000 worth of cell phones and iPads.

On July 14, 2014, Al Hussainawee stole 44 cell phones and iPads from a Verizon store in Waconia, totaling $22,279.97.

He also burglarized a Verizon Store in Buffalo on Dec. 12, 2014. He stole $33,015 in cell phones.

Authorities believe he is responsible for burglarizing, or attempted burglary, on at least 22 stores.

Luger said Al Hussainawee is now facing charges on possession with intent to sell after authorities found 268 grams of meth in his house.

The case is currently awaiting trial.

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