Sheriff Darren Campbell stated:  On Tuesday, June 30, 2020 Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigators along with deputies from the Interstate Criminal Enforcement (ICE) Team, charged Hector Joseph Zayas with Felony Trafficking Opium or Heroin by Possession, Felony Trafficking Opium or Heroin by Transportation, and Felony Maintaining a Vehicle for the Sale or Use of a Controlled Substance.

Sheriff Campbell added narcotics investigators had received information about Zayas leaving his residence in Cornelius with plans to possibly travel into Iredell County with illegal drugs.

Investigators set up a surveillance operation on Interstate 77 Northbound in an effort to identify Zayas and located him in Iredell County. Interstate Criminal Enforcement Deputies spotted Zayas and performed a traffic stop on the vehicle Zayas was driving.

Deputies then deployed a canine to check foe the presence of illegal narcotics. The canine gave a positive indication. A search of the vehicle was conducted by the deputies, who located 17.2 grams of Fentanyl, seven dosage units of Xanax along with a 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun.

Hector Joseph Zayas was arrested on scene. He was then taken to the Iredell County Detention Center where he was issued charged with; Felony Trafficking Opium or Heroin by Possession

Felony Trafficking Opium or Heroin by Transportation, and Felony Maintaining a Vehicle for the Sale or Use of a Controlled Substance. Zayas appeared before Magistrate P. Tutterrow who issued a 300,000.00 dollar secured bond on these charges.

Hector Joseph Zayas, 33 Years Old

19400 One Norman Drive

Cornelius, North Carolina 28031

300,000.00 DOLLARS SECURED BOND.

Criminal history: Misdemeanor Consuming Alcohol while less than 21 Years Old, numerous driving related charges.