Amtrak rider denies drug, weapons charges

Suspected large-scale drug trafficker Alejandro Romero appeared in state District Court Monday afternoon and pleaded not guilty to nine criminal allegations.

Romero was arrested Jan. 27 at the Amtrak Depot in Havre with U.S. Border Patrol intelligence agents and Montana Highway Patrol deputies working together.

After the proper warrants were obtained, the following items were allegedly found in three bags connected with Romero: 5.5 ounces of methamphetamine, 16 grams of suspected marijuana, a John Wayne pistol, a Walther 9mm pistol, a loaded Taurus .380, a Hi-Point 9mm, two digital scales, "jeweler-type" baggies, a 200-gram scale weight, 19 glass meth pipes and two marijuana pipes.

The charging document says that agents working the case had reason to believe Romero is a "large scale" drug distributor.

Based on intelligence, the document also says that Romero is believed to have sold meth in Idaho, Washington state, Montana and North Dakota.

Romero pleaded not guilty to criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, a felony; carrying dangerous drugs on a train, a felony; use or possession of property subject to criminal forfeiture, a felony; criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor; four counts of carrying firearms on a train, a misdemeanor; and criminal possession of dangerous drugs - marijuana less than 60 grams, second offense, a felony.

Romero is in the Hill County Detention center on $40,000 bail. He is expected to be extradited to Washington state, where he lives.