FROM STAFF REPORTS
Two suspects face felony drug trafficking charges following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.
ICSO Narcotics Division investigators, members of the ICSO SERT Team and special agents from the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at 1320 Yadkin Street in west Statesville on Wednesday.
During the execution of the search warrant, Dionte Maurice Carroll, 30, and Aaron Markel Carroll, 33, were arrested on numerous felony narcotics warrants, Sheriff Darren Campbell said in a news release.
In October, ICSO investigators and an SBI special agent began making undercover purchases of crystal methamphetamine from Dionte Carroll and Aaron Carroll, the sheriff said.
During this investigation, the two suspects sold a total of 2.1 pounds of crystal methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement officers on five separate occasions, according to the news release.
Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation, the investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence located at 1320 Yadkin Street, Campbell said.
When the warrant was executed, investigators located and seized 1.6 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 16.2 grams of fentanyl, 16.8 grams of ecstasy, 300.4 grams of marijuana, and more than $85,000 in cash hidden inside the residence, according to the news release. Investigators also seized a vehicle used by Aaron Carroll to deliver narcotics during one of the undercover purchases, Campbell added.
The total street value of all the narcotics seized during this investigation was more than $85,000.
Aaron Carroll of Winston-Salem was charged with two counts of Felony Trafficking by Possession, Felony Trafficking by Sell, Felony Trafficking by Transportation, Felony Trafficking by Delivery, two counts of Felony Trafficking or Possession within 1,000 Feet of a School, and two counts of Felony Conspiracy. He was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where Magistrate Watkins issued a $3.2 million secured bond.
Dionte Carroll, who resides at the Yadkin Street residence in Statesville, was arrested and charged with five counts of Felony Trafficking by Possession, four counts of Felony Trafficking by Sell, four counts of Felony Trafficking by Transportation, four counts of Felony Trafficking by Delivery, five counts of Felony Trafficking or Possession within 1,000 Feet of a School, two counts of Felony Conspiracy and Felony Trafficking Fentanyl. He was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where Magistrate Watkins issued a $7.5 million secured bond.
“These career felons were actively selling drugs mere feet away from a school playground,” Campbell said. “The danger these felons put the school children and staff members in is unimaginable. Between those who are addicted to drugs coming to this residence to purchase drugs and other types of crimes where firearms are present near drug houses, the consequences could have been horrific.
“We worked very hard to rid this neighborhood of this menace,” he added. “We will continue to work on ongoing undercover drug investigations across Iredell County.”
According to the ICSO, Dionte Carroll’s criminal history includes the following charges: Felony Criminal Possession of Narcotics, Felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell, Felony Criminal Possession in the Second-Degree of a Loaded Firearm.
Aaron Carroll’s criminal history includes the following charges: Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana, DWI Level 5 DWI, two felony counts of Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver a Schedule IV Controlled Substance, Felony Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana, two Counts of Felony Maintain a Vehicle for the Sale or Use of a Controlled Substance, and numerous driving-related charges.