FROM STAFF REPORTS

A southern Iredell County resident faces 30 drug charges, including five counts of selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school, following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Joseph Daniel Klein, 28, in a news release.

Klein’s arrest culminated a two-month investigation into the distribution of heroin in the southern end of Iredell County, Campbell said.

ICSO narcotics investigators began investigating in October after receiving information that Klein was acquiring heroin from the Charlotte area and distributing heroin and other controlled substances in the southern end of Iredell County, according to the news release.

Investigators established surveillance operations and verified the information involving Klein, Campbell said. Undercover investigators subsequently purchased heroin directly from Klein, he added.

On Tuesday, December 15, detectives executed a narcotics search warrant at Klein’s residence at 151 Capital Avenue near Mooresville.

When the search warrant was served, Klein was located inside the resident. He was found to be in possession of heroin, Campbell said.

Klein was arrested on scene and taken to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was served with the following arrest warrants: seven counts of Felony Sell or Deliver Heroin, seven counts of Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Heroin, six counts of Felony Maintaining a Dwelling for the Distribution or Sale of a Controlled Substance, five counts of Selling a Controlled Substance Within 1000 Feet of a School, Felony Trafficking Heroin by Possession, Felony Trafficking Heroin by Sale, Felony Sell or Deliver Schedule III Controlled Substance, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Schedule III Controlled Substance, and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Klein appeared before Magistrate Imes, who issued a $450,000 secured bond on these charges.