FROM STAFF REPORTS

Two suspects face drug trafficking charges after being stopped by Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Interstate 77 on Monday.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrests of Donte Lemar Tartt, 32, of Shaquill Deon Miller, 29, both of Columbia, S.C., in a news release Wednesday afternoon.

Deputies assigned to the ICSO Interstate Criminal Enforcement Team stopped a 2017 Jaguar sedan for traffic violation on I-77 north near mile marker 62 on Monday, according to the news release.

After approaching the vehicle, the deputies spoke with Tartt, who was driving, and Miller.

Tartt told the deputies the couple was traveling from Columbia to West Virginia to visit a casino, according to the news release.

Due to several inconsistencies in the couple’s story and travel plans, deputies utilized K-9 “Bosco” to conduct a search of the vehicle, Campbell said.

After Bosco alerted for the presence of illegal narcotics in the vehicle, deputies searched the vehicle and located approximately 907 grams of crystal methamphetamine in the driver’s floorboard, according to the news release. Some 41.2 grams of crack cocaine were located on Tartt, Campbell said.

Tartt and Miller were arrested and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where they were each charged with Felony Trafficking Methamphetamine by Possession Felony Trafficking Methamphetamine by Transportation, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Methamphetamine, and Felony Maintaining a Vehicle for Controlled Substance.

Tartt was also charged with Felony Trafficking Cocaine by Possession, Felony Trafficking Cocaine by Transport, and Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine. 

Both suspects were taken before Magistrate Tutterow. Miller received a $1 million bond, and Tartt’s bond was set at $1.25 million.