Deputies: 256 Pounds Of Marijuana Seized In Iredell County Traffic Stops

Samantha Gilstrap,

IREDELL CO., N.C. — Deputies with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office say 256 pounds of marijuana were seized on Thursday after two separate traffic stops.

Deputies say during the first traffic stop on June 3rd, they spoke with the driver and only occupant Xuequan Lu from Brooklyn, New York, before deploying canine Bosco.

Police say after Bosco was deployed, the dog gave a positive indication that there was a controlled substance inside the vehicle.

Deputies say during their search of the vehicle they found 118 pounds of high grade marijuana inside the trunk and took LU in for questioning.

After taking Xuequan Lu into custody, police say a second vehicle drove by deputies and failed to move over, as required by law for flashing blue lights.

Deputies stopped this suspect vehicle and spoke with the driver and only occupant, 51-year-old Fengming Li, from Woodstock, Georgia.

Detectives say they suspected the two vehicles could be traveling together, and sent canine Abby out to check the vehicle for drugs during the second traffic stop.

Police say after Abby alerted officers to the presence of a controlled substance inside the second car, a search was conducted and deputies found over 138 pounds of high grade marijuana inside the trunk.

Police say during their investigation it was revealed both suspects were in fact traveling together with a third car, that has not been located.

Both Xuequan Lu and Fengming Li were taken to the Iredell County Detention Center and charged with Felony Trafficking by Possession of Marijuana, Felony Trafficking by Transportation of Marijuana, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Distribute Marijuana, and Felony Conspiracy to Traffic Marijuana, according to a news release.

Detectives say the estimated street value of the 256 pounds of marijuana seized is $2,331,440 (based of the estimated price of $20 per gram).

Sheriff Campbell says, “By removing this much illegal marijuana from the streets, it makes an immediate impact on the drug dealers who profit from this, today we made a dent in their pocket and sent a message about hauling drugs through Iredell County”.