Sheriff: Suspect faces multiple charges after undercover investigation

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman
Evidence seized by the ICSO in a narcotics investigation.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

A 63-year-old man who was the target of an ongoing Iredell County Sheriff’s Office narcotics investigation faces numerous charges following his arrest.

Ernest Holland

Members of the ICSO Narcotics Investigations Unit and the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team (ACE) were conducting a surveillance operation on Highway 70 east in the area of Interstate 77 on Thursday, April 16, when they observed the suspect, identified as Ernest William Holland.

Holland then traveled to an area where undercover investigators had purchased crack cocaine directly from him in the past, Sheriff Darren Campbell said in a news release.

Near the intersection of Highway 70 and Wilson Lee Boulevard, members of the ACE Team attempted to conduct a vehicle stop for a traffic violation, Campbell said.

As the deputies activated their blue lights and siren, they saw Holland toss a pill bottle out of the vehicle and then speed away, according to the news release.

Investigators recovered this bottle, which contained a significant amount of power cocaine, crack cocaine and ecstasy pills, Campbell said.

Holland attempted to flee the deputies before eventually stopped at the intersection of Durham Avenue off 7th Street, where was taken into custody, according to the news release.

A search of Holland and the vehicle located additional evidence. Including the contents of the bottle, investigators recovered 13.2 grams of crack cocaine, 9.8 grams of powder cocaine, 2.1 grams of ecstasy tablets, and $1,791, Campbell said.

Holland, who lives off Independence Loop in eastern Iredell County, was charged with five counts of Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance, three counts of Felony Maintaining a Vehicle for the Sale of Controlled Substance, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance (Cocaine), Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver MDMA (Ecstasy), Misdemeanor Fleeing to Elude Arrest, Misdemeanor Resist, Obstruct, and Delay a Law Enforcement Officer, and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Holland was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was served with the charges. He appeared before Magistrate Chambers, who issued a $150,000 secured bond.