Detectives Make 6 Trafficking Arrests, Along With Seizure Of Drugs, Weapons, & Money In Union County

Justin Pryor,

UNION COUNTY, NC — A week of drug busts has led to the arrest of six suspects and the confiscation of trafficking levels of heroin and methamphetamines.

Deputies say five suspects were arrested as part of three interdiction operations that took place this week. A sixth suspect was also arrested, according to officials, after another long term drug investigation.

Monday

Detectives arrested 23-year-old Gonzalo Barboza, of Charlotte, after he was stopped on Pageland Highway near Landsford Road. Officials say Barboza had multiple balloons filled with roughly 12 grams of heroin in his mouth when he was removed from his vehicle.

He is charged with Trafficking Heroin, Maintaining a Drug Vehicle, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Tuesday

33-year-old Jonathan Craig, Destni Thomas, 22, both of Monroe, and 36-year-old Jamie Christensen were all arrested when deputies pulled them over on West Roosevelt Boulevard. Officials say K-9 ‘Yugo’ alerted detectives to possible drugs in the car.

After a search, deputies say they seized over 30 grams of methamphetamines, 18 Clonazepam pills, Xanax, drug paraphernalia, and a .22 caliber handgun. Some of the drugs were reportedly hidden inside a safe, also found in the car.

All three suspects are charged with Trafficking in Meth by Possession, Trafficking in Meth by Transportation, Simple Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substances, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Craig faces an additional charge of Maintaining a Drug Vehicle, and Christensen is also charged with Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon.

Wednesday

A vehicle interdiction stop on East Independence near Indian Trail resulted in the arrest of 40-year-old Victor Renteria-Evangelista, of Lincolnton. Deputies say they found roughly 33 grams of heroin and over $2100 after K-9 ‘Atos’ alerted deputies to the possible presence of drugs.

Renteria-Evangelista is charged with Trafficking in Heroin by Possession, Trafficking in Heroin by Transportation, Maintaining a Drug Vehicle, No Operator’s License, and Unsafe Lane Change.

Thursday

Deputies say Robert “Rooster” McMurray, 31, of Monroe, was arrested as part of a long term drug investigation.

He is charged with four counts of Trafficking in Heroin and one count of Possession with Intent to Sale and Deliver Heroin.