A federal grand jury has charged Rafael Gallardo, Jr. of Albert Lea with federal narcotics and firearms violations.

Gallardo was arrested in a raid by the South Central Drug Investigation Unit and local police last month in his residence at 327 W. Main St. in Albert Lea. He was suspected to be a major drug dealer. The investigators found about 900 grams of cocaine and two guns.

The federal authority stepped into the case after Gallardo was charged in Freeborn County District Court. Federal laws have more strict penalties for drug-related crimes than state laws.

If convicted, Gallardo faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison for the possession of firearms in conjunction with a drug trafficking crime, and up to 40 years in prison for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.

Carolina Pena, who also lived in the Main Street residence and was charged, pleaded not guilty in Freeborn County Court.