Gastonia police say they seized six kilograms of fentanyl and more than $100,000 during a major cartel-linked drug investigation.
The fentanyl carried an estimated street value of about $750,000, according to police. Investigators said the cash represented illegal drug proceeds.
Police arrested Sergio Martinez-Avalos and Karina Mondragon-Gamino following a search of a Gastonia home on September 29.
The investigation began after law enforcement partners in Louisiana identified Martinez-Avalos as a suspected large-scale drug trafficker.
Gastonia detectives then developed the case and obtained a search warrant for his residence.
During the search, officers found six kilograms of fentanyl packaged in brick form. They also seized more than $100,000 in cash.
Police allege the money was intended for a Mexican drug cartel. Authorities have not publicly identified a specific cartel.
Martinez-Avalos faces:
- Two counts of Level III fentanyl trafficking
- One count of money laundering
- One count of maintaining a dwelling or vehicle for controlled substances
- A federal immigration hold
Police also said Martinez-Avalos had an outstanding arrest warrant from Louisiana.
Mondragon-Gamino faces:
- Two counts of Level III fentanyl trafficking
- One count of money laundering
- One count of maintaining a dwelling or vehicle for controlled substances
- A federal immigration hold
Both suspects were being held without bond following their arrests, according to local court records.
The operation involved several agencies from across the Charlotte region.
Gastonia Police received assistance from the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office and Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office.
Mount Holly Police and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation also assisted with the case.
