FROM STAFF REPORTS

A Statesville man faces multiple felony drug charges after Iredell County Sheriff’s Office personnel seized cocaine, MDMA and marijuana during a drug raid at a residence on Rita Avenue.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Kenneth Lorenzo Wright, 46, in a news release Tuesday.

On Friday, March 12, members of the ICSO Narcotics Investigation Unit with assistance from the Interstate Criminal Enforcement, Warrant Squad deputies, and Criminal Investigations detectives, executed a narcotics search warrant at 1120 Rita Avenue, Campbell said.

The search warrant was executed after narcotics investigators received information that Wright was possibly distributing crack cocaine in the area of Rita Avenue, according to the news release. After a surveillance operation was established by undercover detectives, the information was confirmed and purchases of crack cocaine were made from Wright at the residence, Campbell said.

When the search warrant was executed, Wright was located inside the home, according to the news release. ICSO personnel found 8.5 grams of powder cocaine, 10.4 grams of crack cocaine, one gram of MDMA, and 21.3 grams of marijuana, along with numerous items associated with narcotics sales, according to the news release.

Wright was arrested on scene and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was charged with Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Felony Possession of MDMA, and Felony Maintaining a Dwelling, Vehicle or Other Place for the Use or Sale of Controlled Substances.

Wright appeared before Magistrate Chambers, who issued a $50,000 secured bond on these charges.