*The information below was provided in a news release from the Gastonia Police Department
GASTONIA, N.C. – A major multi-agency investigation involving the Gastonia Police Department, Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, and Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the disruption of a large-scale drug trafficking organization operating from Dallas, Texas to Gastonia, North Carolina. The combined efforts of these agencies led to the seizure of 44 kilos of crystal methamphetamine, valued at approximately $2.6 million on the street.
Background:
The investigation began in November 2025 when investigators from the Gastonia Police Department and the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office conducted surveillance at the residence of Rickie Shane Hooper. During this surveillance, investigators observed Hooper meeting with Javier Luviano-Navarro and later determined that Hooper had received a large quantity of crystal methamphetamine from Luviano. Luviano was also identified as a drug dealer throughout Gaston County.
Javier Luviano-Navarro
As the investigation progressed, investigators tracked Luviano traveling to a residence in Cleveland County and later returning to Gastonia, where he rented a storage unit the following day. Search warrants executed on properties associated with Hooper resulted in the seizure of 14 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, while an additional 5 kilograms were recovered from the storage unit rented by Luviano.
In early December, investigators learned that Luviano was returning to Gastonia, believed to be transporting another significant shipment intended for distribution in Gaston and Cleveland counties. On December 4, investigators observed Luviano entering Gastonia in a different vehicle. Members of the Gastonia Police Department Street Crimes Unit conducted a traffic stop, locating cocaine and keys to the previously searched storage unit.
Simultaneously, investigators with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office located the original vehicle Luviano had been driving in November at a residence in Cleveland County. The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office Community Interdiction Team encountered Eusebio Bustos-Osorio inside the vehicle. A K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics, and deputies subsequently seized 25 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine from the trunk.
Eusebio Bustos-Osorio
As a result of the investigation:
• Javier Luviano-Navarro was charged in Gaston County with four counts of trafficking crystal methamphetamine.
• Eusebio Bustos-Osorio was charged in Cleveland County with two counts of trafficking crystal methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to traffic crystal methamphetamine.
• Charges for Rickie Shane Hooper are pending.
This investigation remains active.
