Sampson authorities seize $20 million worth of cocaine
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on January 25, 2006 1:57 PM
Sampson County law officer seized about 440 pounds of cocaine during a raid at a house Monday about 5 p.m. on Edmond Matthis Road in the Ingold community.
Two men were arrested and charged with trafficking in the drug.
Alejandro Moreno-Salgado, 27, of 56 Melvin Road in Harrells and Isais Mareno-Ochea, 41, of 2517 Register Sutton Road in Rose Hill are being held in the Sampson County Jail. Moreno-Salgado is being held under $1 million bond. Bond for Mareo-Ochea was set at $450,000.
The seizure was the result of a joint investigation by the Sampson County Sheriff's Office Special Investigation Division, the Duplin County Sheriff's Office, the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, the Wake County Sheriff's Office, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.
Sampson Sheriff Jimmy Thornton estimated the street value of the cocaine at $20 million.
"Through the dedication and hard work of the men and women involved in the investigation, a cripling blow was dealt to drug traffickers in southeastern North Carolina. Over 200 kilograms of cocaine didn't make it into the hands of someone's child or loved one. We've turned up the heat on drug dealers and we will continue to turn it up even more. The citizens of Sampson County will not stand for this type of activity in our commuities," Thornton said in a news release.