One of the Charlotte region’s largest recent drug investigations has now uncovered 161 kilograms of meth in Union County, worth over $12 million in street value. Authorities say several suspects have possible ties to a Mexican drug trafficking organization.
The investigation began after the Union County Sheriff’s Office and federal agents received information about a large methamphetamine shipment entering the county.
Narcotics investigators worked alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to identify vehicles allegedly involved in transporting the drugs.
Authorities then launched a coordinated enforcement operation on July 29.
The initial operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 101 kilograms of methamphetamine and the arrests of multiple people. Detectives continued investigating after the initial bust and soon uncovered considerably more drugs.
The Sheriff’s Office announced that investigators seized an additional 60 kilograms of methamphetamine and approximately $150,000 in cash.
That brings the investigation’s total seizure to approximately 161 kilograms, worth up to $12,880,000 if broken down into individual street grams (161,000 grams) at a standard street price of roughly $80 per gram baggie.
Sheriff Eddie Cathey credited narcotics investigators and participating agencies for the seizures. He said their work helped prevent a substantial quantity of dangerous drugs from reaching communities.
Authorities have not disclosed where the drugs originated or their intended destination.
