Sheriff: Multi-agency criminal interdiction operation leads to three drug-trafficking arrests, drug seizure

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman
Evidence seized during three-day operation on I-40 and I-77.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

A three-day criminal interdiction operation on Interstate 40 and Interstate 77 in Iredell County resulted in the seizure of an assortment of illegal narcotics, two motor vehicles and more than $40,000. Three suspects face drug-trafficking charges.

From May 3-5, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Interstate Criminal Enforcement Team coordinated an interdiction operation with personnel from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Granville County Sheriff’s Office, High Point Police Department, Archdale Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

During the three-day operation, deputies and officers conducted over 100 traffic stops and seized 775 grams of cocaine, 135 grams of heroin, 10.5 pounds of marijuana, and one gram of MDMA (Ecstasy), Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said in a news release.

As a result of the operation, a fugitive was apprehended. Two vehicles and over $40,000 directly tied to criminal activity were also seized, Campbell said.

Arrested

Brandon Morten
Steven Salgado
Rafael Moreno

The suspects arrested in this operation are:

♦ Rafael Angel Moreno, 32, of Buffalo, N.Y. He was charged with Felony Trafficking of a Schedule II Controlled Substance Cocaine and Felony Trafficking of a Schedule I controlled substance. He was given a $2 million by Magistrate Imes.

♦ Steven Salgado, 44, of the Bronx, N.Y. He was charged with Felony Trafficking of a Schedule II Controlled Substance Cocaine and Felony Trafficking of a Schedule I controlled substance. He was given a $2 million secured bond by Magistrate Imes.

♦ Brandon O’Lawrence Morten, 30, of Atlanta, Ga. He was charged with Felony Trafficking a Schedule VI Controlled Substance. He was given a $40,000 secured bond by Magistrate Watkins.