Tip Leads Police To Drug Trafficking Suspect: CMPD

CHARLOTTE, NC — An anonymous tip led to a sting that ended with the arrest of a drug trafficking suspect, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said Wednesday.

On April 12, CMPD received a tip about suspected drug sales in the 9400 block of South Tryon Street. “As a result of this tip, surveillance was conducted which led to a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Refugio Najir Gutierrez Espinoza,” CMPD said in a statement April 18.

Espinoza, 37, was arrested during the traffic stop and taken to the Steel Creek police station for an interview. CMPD obtained search warrants, where they found “body armor, night vision goggles, firearms, and a variety of narcotics and drug paraphernalia,” including quantities of marijuana, THC oil, synthetic marijuana, methamphetamine, crystal methamphetamine and prescription medication.

Espinoza, 37, has been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, felony possession of marijuana, trafficking synthetic marijuana, trafficking methamphetamine, and trafficking heroin, CMPD said.

CMPD asks that anyone with information about this incident call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Photos courtesy of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, CMPD