Deputies arrest dozens in massive Iredell County drug roundup

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — Deputies in Iredell County said more than 60 people face felony drug charges after a sting called Operation Autumn Sweep.

Investigators said they began the roundup overnight while many of the suspects were sleeping.

[PAST COVERAGE: Deputies target suspected drug offenders in massive Iredell Co. operation]

Many were brought to jail in their pajamas.

The Iredell County Sheriff's Office said the men and women taken into custody sold drugs to undercover officers in the past several weeks.

[PAST COVERAGE: Mother of 4 among drug suspects rounded up in FBI, CMPD sweep]

About two dozen suspects were arrested Monday morning.

Sheriff Darren Campbell invited Channel 9 to record the first round of arrests, hoping to send a clear message to drug dealers.

"If we didn't get you this time, we will get you in the future," Campbell said. "We have made it repeatedly clear that if you sell drugs in Iredell County, we are going to target you through one of our operations."

Channel 9 walked with the suspects through the parking lot to the jail.

David Decastro, a suspect from Mooresville, said he had sold prescription medication.

"If I got caught it was selling my prescriptions that I get prescribed," Decastro said.

"What prescription was it?" Channel 9 anchor Kristin Leigh asked Decastro.

"Xanax or Suboxone," he responded.

"Did you sell it to someone?" Kristin asked.

"I don't remember," Decastro said. "When I got off of them, I sold them, because I didn't want to do them anymore."

There are safe, legal ways to get rid of unwanted prescription medications.

Several pharmacies offer drop boxes, and area law enforcement agencies host events where they collect unwanted prescription drugs, no questions asked.

"You smoke marijuana you go to jail," one woman shouted, as deputies escorted her in handcuffs and shackles.

Some of the inmates walking to the jail admitted they used marijuana but suggested they're not dealers.

"I don't believe that," Campbell said. "All these cases were sales to an undercover officer. They probably didn't realize who the undercover officer was."

Deputies seized $41,000 in illegal drugs, according to the sheriff's office.

"We're talking about heroine. We're talking about cocaine. We're talking about opiates, methamphetamine and marijuana also," Campbell said.

He said operations like this one reduce crime and can even reduce opioid overdose deaths.

“We understand that there's a supply line, and if we interrupt the supply line by arresting dealers, that causes the problem to go away,” Campbell said.

Campbell said deputies will work through the night to arrest all 69 suspects.

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