The Gaston County Police Department arrested Josue David Ortiz-Villeda, 24, a Honduran national, and Faustino Napoleo Ruiz-Juarez, 40, a Mexican national. Both individuals were booked following a K-9 traffic stop in Lowell that uncovered 15 kilograms of cocaine and a loaded 9mm pistol.
According to the Gaston County Police Department press release, officers with the K-9 Unit conducted a traffic stop on April 19 in the area of Riverview Drive in Lowell and located 15 kilograms of cocaine and a loaded 9mm pistol concealed inside the vehicle. Both men face charges of trafficking cocaine and maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance, while Ruiz-Juarez also faces a charge of carrying a concealed weapon. Public booking records confirm immigration detainers on both individuals who were held without bond in the Gaston County Jail.
The department deploys K-9 teams as part of ongoing drug interdiction work south of Charlotte. Local authorities report multiple cocaine seizures through targeted traffic stops and vehicle searches in recent operations. These actions aim to disrupt drug trafficking networks operating in the county and surrounding communities, according to local authorities.
Federal agencies seize thousands of kilograms of cocaine each year in coordination with state and local law enforcement. Many large-scale trafficking cases involve individuals with immigration violations who are in the country illegally. Law enforcement partnerships help ensure noncitizens face prosecution on drug charges, followed by federal removal proceedings where applicable, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Gaston County Police Department serves as a full-service law enforcement agency for Gaston County, North Carolina. It operates specialized units, including K-9 teams and Special Investigations focused on drug enforcement and violent crime. The department works in coordination with the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office on detention and booking operations, while maintaining jurisdiction throughout the county, according to the department’s website.
