STATESVILLE: The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office has arrested seven people in connection to a large metthamphetamine bust.
The investigation kicked off several months ago after narcotics officers were tipped off that Eric Germaine Summers, of North Oakland Avenue in Statesville, was selling crystal meth.
Throughout their investigation, undercover officers were able to purchase meth and a handgun from the suspect, authorities say, and were also able to identify Summers’ suppliers.
In late-October, search warrants were conducted at two homes in Statesville, where five men were taken into custody. A sixth man was arrested several days after the raids.
In all, narcotics officers seized six pounds of crystal meth with a street value of more than $1,000,000, along with 15 grams of cocaine and a handgun. Additionally, multiple cellphones and three vehicles were seized.
Arrested in the operation were Summers, Jose Duenas-Intriago, Carlos Antonio Flores-Cano, Juan Ernesto Ortiz Rodriguez, Rigoberto Portillo-Ramirez, Jario Leonel Vasques-Espinosa and Jesus Cristino Perales.
Two suspects are held in the Iredell County Detention Center under $25,000 bonds each, while the other two are in federal custody, being held without bond.
One federal and one state suspect have immigration detainers, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
