Special to Iredell Free News

A Mooresville man faces drug trafficking charges following an investigation by the Mooresville Police Department.

After receiving complaints of illegal drug activity, Narcotics Unit detectives conducted an investigation that resulted in the execution of a search warrant on a residence in the 400 block of N. Academy Street, according to an MPD news release.

While executing the search warrant on Wednesday, August 23, detectives seized approximately 30 grams of raw fentanyl, 161 fentanyl pills which were made to look like Oxycodone pills, 14 Lorazepam pills, five Oxycodone pills, a small amount of cocaine, and $1,320 cash, police said.

Albert Rhyne Stewart, 57, was charged with three counts of Trafficking Opiates, three counts of Possession with Intent to Sell/Distribute a Schedule II Controlled Substance, one count of Possession with Intent to Sell/Distribute a Schedule IV Controlled Substance, Felony Possession of Cocaine, Felony Maintaining a Dwelling and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was placed in the Iredell County Jail under an $800,000 secured bond.

According to the MPD, Stewart has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1987 that includes numerous convictions for narcotics-related offenses. He was released from prison in 2019 after serving nearly six years after being convicted of being a Habitual Felon.

Stewart is currently on probation for a conviction for possession of Schedule II controlled substances after a 2021 arrest for Possession with Intent to Sell Cocaine.