FROM STAFF REPORTS
A New Jersey man faces drug trafficking charges after Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies found five pounds of cocaine and 25 pounds of marijuana in his vehicle during a traffic stop on Interstate 77.
Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Hector Jaoquin Iglesias, 43, of Perth Amboy, N.J., in a news release Friday.
Deputies assigned to the ICSO Interstate Criminal Enforcement Team stopped a Lexus passenger car traveling on Interstate 77 South at the 62 mile marker for a traffic violation on Wednesday, Campbell said.
Iglesias, who was driving the vehicle, told deputies that he was traveling from his residence in New Jersey to Knoxville, Tenn. During the conversation, deputies noticed numerous inconsistencies in his travel plans and detected other indicators of criminal activity, according to the news release.
Canine Connie was called to the scene of the stop and was introduced to vehicle and gave a positive indication for the presence of controlled substances, Campbell said.
During the ensuing search of the vehicle, deputies found approximately five pounds of Cocaine, 25 pounds of marijuana, and seven pounds of THC edibles inside the trunk, according to the news release. The street value of the narcotics seized is approximately $500,000, Campbell said.
“Our ICE Team has proven time and time again that they are working to make our interstate highways safer for the residents of Iredell County,” the sheriff added.
Iglesias was arrested without incident and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was charged with two counts of Felony Trafficking Cocaine, two counts of Felony Trafficking Marijuana, two Counts of Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver a Controlled Substance, Felony Maintaining a Vehicle for a Controlled Substance and
Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Magistrate Callejas issued a $950,000 bond on these charges. Iglesias remained in custody on Friday afternoon.
After being convicted of conspiracy to sell and deliver more than 66 pounds of cocaine in West Palm Beach, Fla., Iglesias recently served six years in federal prison.
