3 Charged With Trafficking Heroin In Union County

UNION COUNTY, NC — Deputies have charged three suspects after they seized trafficking level amounts of heroin during two separate traffic stops.

On Thursday, deputies say they stopped Erlin Barboza-Finol, 35, of Charlotte, in a parking lot on West Franklin Street. During the stop, officials say K-9 ‘Atos’ alerted deputies to the presence of drugs.

Deputies seized more than 19 grams of heroin after searching Barboza-Finol’s vehicle.

On Friday, deputies say they stopped Kaylan Knight, 24, and Kayla Burgess, 21, both of Monroe, on Lancaster Highway. ‘Atos’ again alerted deputies to the presence of drugs in the vehicle. Officials say a trafficking level of heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia was found during their search of the vehicle.

Barboza-Finol is charged with two counts of Trafficking in Opium/Heroin and one count of Maintaining a Drug Vehicle.

Knight and Burgess are each charged with two counts of Trafficking in Opium/Heroin, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana up to 1/2 ounce, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia. Knight also faces additional charges for Failure To Appear and Probation Violation.