IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office is calling it the largest meth bust in the county’s history: $5 million in high-grade methamphetamine seized along Interstate 77.
Deputies showed off the 28 pounds of meth Wednesday afternoon, along with more than $100,000 in cash that was also seized from four vehicles.
“Just think if this had made it to the streets. How many potential addicts did this prevent? How many kids did this prevent having access to these drugs?” Sheriff Darren Campbell said.
Members of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Interstate Criminal Enforcement and members of the Nash County Sheriff’s Office Highway Interdiction Team were conducting criminal interdiction on I-77 in northern Iredell County as part of Operation Tarheel Gauntlet.
A member of the Iredell County team became suspicious when he spotted men exchanging packages between four vehicles at a convenience store near Statesville.
Authorities said the men noticed the deputy and quickly left the area. But due to the numerous deputies on the interstate, all four vehicles were stopped a short time later.
A canine was used to search the vehicles and found the presence of illegal drugs, deputies said.
Authorities said in one of the vehicles, a large box was located and inside the box, several containers were easily identified as containing meth. In another vehicle, a backpack filled with bundles of cash was found, deputies said. They also said a brown paper bag was found in a third vehicle with more money.
The four men from Georgia, West Virginia and Nevada were arrested and locked up under $1 to $2 million bonds for trafficking meth.
(Rofelle Nash, Paul Glover III, Christian Hernandez, John Gray)
Deputies believe the meth was made in a super lab across the border.
Residents in the Iredell community said they’re glad the men were caught and the drugs are off the street.
“I think it’s crazy. I’ve got two kids. Keep it away from them. It’s a good thing they’re in jail and not out on the streets,” mother Sarah Luffman said.
The sheriff believes because of the scope of the seizure, the feds will get involved and the Department of Homeland Security will help with the investigation.
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