Staff reports | Press Release

In what seemed like a bit of luck, deputies with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office Community Interdiction Team conducted a proactive traffic stop on Dec. 16, that resulted in the seizure of approximately 𝟏𝟑𝟖 𝐩𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞, preventing an estimated $𝟑 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 from reaching local communities.

Deputies observed a 2024 Omada sedan traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 74 in the Kings Mountain area displaying a Mexico license plate from Sinaloa, Mexico, which was partially concealed by a tag cover. A traffic stop was initiated for the registration violation.

The driver and sole occupant was identified as 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐱 𝐓𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐨-𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐳, a Mexican national. 𝐀𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, CCSO is claiming that 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧.

(Meth seizure continued below local ads...)

During the stop, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office K-9 conducted a free-air sniff of the vehicle and provided a positive alert. Based on probable cause, deputies conducted a search of the vehicle and discovered approximately 138 pounds of crystal methamphetamine concealed inside.

Tirado-Ramirez was arrested and charged with 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞. He was transported to the Cleveland County Detention Center, where he is currently being held 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐝.

The narcotics seized in this operation have an estimated street value of 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 $𝟑 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧, representing a significant disruption to illegal drug distribution networks and a major step toward protecting the safety of Cleveland County residents.

Sheriff 𝐀𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 praised the coordinated efforts of the deputies, investigators, and K-9 personnel involved, noting that this seizure highlights the importance of proactive traffic enforcement and interdiction efforts.

“The removal of this quantity of methamphetamine from circulation directly impacts public safety and saves lives,” Norman said. “Our deputies remain committed to aggressively targeting drug trafficking and keeping dangerous narcotics out of Cleveland County neighborhoods.”

Follow The Shelby Independent on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. To contact Chuck about a story idea, send an email or visit the contact page.