FROM STAFF REPORTS

A New York man faces felony drug trafficking charges after Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies found nearly 30 pounds of marijuana in his SUV during a traffic stop on Interstate 77.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest Dwight Connie Reed, 36, of East Amherst Street, Buffalo, N.Y., in a news release.

Deputies assigned to the ICSO Interstate Criminal Enforcement Team conducted a traffic stop on a 2023 Jeep Wrangler on Interstate 77 south near the 61 mile marker for multiple traffic violations on Wednesday, March 22, Campbell said.

Reed, who was operating the vehicle, is classified as a violent criminal gang member by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the sheriff said.

During a search of the vehicle, deputies found 28 pounds of high-grade marijuana located in large suitcases, according to the news release.

Reed was arrested and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was charged with felony trafficking marijuana by possession, felony trafficking marijuana by transport, felony possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, felony maintaining a vehicle for the sale of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Reed was taken before Magistrate Nethken, who issued him a $300,000 secured bond.