FROM STAFF REPORTS

Two men face drug trafficking charges after Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies seized more than 40 pounds of marijuana from a vehicle during a traffic stop on Interstate 77.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrests of Randy Diaz Fonseca, 34, of Miami and Luis Miguel Vazquez, 25, of Orlando in a news release Thursday.

On Tuesday, November 29, deputies assigned to the ICSO Interstate Criminal Enforcement Team stopped a Toyota 4-Runner traveling south on I-77 at mile marker 55 for violating a traffic law, Campbell said.

During the course of the traffic stop, deputies searched the vehicle and located a large suitcase and a large bag in the trunk of the vehicle that contained over 40 pounds of high-grade marijuana, according to the news release. The street value of this high-grade marijuana is estimated at $378,876, Campbell said.

Fonseca and Vazquez told deputies that they were traveling from Michigan to Florida.

Both men were transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where they were charged with Felony Trafficking by Marijuana Possession, Felony Trafficking by Marijuana Transport, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver, and Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia. Magistrate Russell issued both subjects a $100,000 secured bond.

Both men are being held on a federal detainer due to their immigration status.