Meth, Guns Found During Operation In Iredell, Rowan Counties

MOORESVILLE, NC — A four-day drug operation along interstates in Iredell and Rowan counties led to the arrests of three suspects and confiscation of guns, cash, vehicles and drugs with a street value of more than $100,000, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.

The operation, dubbed “Operation Tarheel Gauntlet,” began Feb. 11 and targeted traffic along Interstate 40, Interstate 77 and Interstate 85.

“The operation made multiple arrests for a variety of charges and violations, to include trafficking methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and carrying concealed weapons,” Sheriff Darren Campbell said in a statement.

On Feb. 11, deputies stopped a burgundy Toyota Corolla along southbound I-85 in Rowan County for a traffic violation.

“When deputies approached the vehicle, they smelled the distinct odor of marijuana coming from the passenger compartment,” ICSO said. A vehicle search was conducted and deputies found a loaded handgun in the center console and a bag with 700 grams of marijuana, worth an estimated $1,500, under the front passenger seat.

The driver of the vehicle — identified as David Warren Sandford Jr., 32, of High Point, North Carolina — was charged with possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana, maintaining a vehicle for keeping and selling controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, and carrying a concealed weapon.

Sanford’s passenger — who was identified as Montino Deshaun Dalton, 28, of Eden, North Carolina — was charged with possession of marijuana, possess with intent to sell/deliver marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both men were taken before a Rowan County magistrate judge, who set their secured bonds at $25,000.

The next day, on Feb. 12, deputies stopped a Nissan Altima for a routine traffic violation along southbound I-85. The driver of that vehicle — Octavio Lizarraga Ayala, 40, of Rosedale, Maryland — consented to a vehicle search and Iredell County deputies found more than two pounds of suspected methamphetamine with a value of about $100,000 hidden in a bag in the front passenger seat, along with about $2,000 in cash.

“The investigation showed Ayala was traveling from Maryland to the Metro Charlotte, North Carolina area,” ICSO said.

Deputies charged Ayala with multiple counts of trafficking methamphetamine, along with possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a vehicle for keeping and selling controlled substances. A Rowan County magistrate judge set his secured bond at $520,000.

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Photos courtesy of the Iredell County Sheriff's Office