Operation Ice-Breaker nets 44 kilos of crystal meth; breaks up drug ring

Staff Reports | Cleveland County Sheriff's Office

A major multi-agency investigation involving Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, and Gastonia Police Department has resulted in the disruption of a large-scale drug trafficking organization operating from Dallas, Texas to Gastonia, North Carolina.

The combined efforts of these agencies led to the seizure of 44 kilos of crystal methamphetamine, valued at approximately $2.6 million on the street.

The investigation began in November 2025 when investigators conducted surveillance at the residence of Rickie Shane Hooper. During this surveillance, investigators observed Hooper meeting with Javier Luviano-Navarro. It was later determined that Hooper had received a large quantity of crystal methamphetamine from Luviano-Navarro, who was also identified as a drug dealer out of Gaston County.

As the investigation progressed, investigators tracked Luviano-Navarro to a residence in Cleveland County, later returning to Gastonia, where he rented a storage unit the following day.

Search warrants were executed on properties associated with Hooper resulting in the seizure of 14 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, with an additional 5 kilos being recovered from the storage unit rented by Luviano-Navarro.

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In early December, investigators learned that Luviano-Navarro was returning to Gastonia, believed to be transporting another significant shipment intended for distribution in Cleveland and Gaston counties. On December 4, investigators observed Luviano-Navarro entering Gastonia in a different vehicle. The Street Crimes Division of the Gastonia Police Department conducted a traffic stop, locating cocaine and keys to the previously searched storage unit.

Simultaneously, investigators with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office located the original

vehicle Luviano-Navarro had been driving in November at a residence in Cleveland County. The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office Community Interdiction Team encountered Eusebio Bustos-Osorio inside the vehicle. A K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics, and deputies subsequently seized 25 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine from the trunk.

As a result of the investigation, Eusebio Bustos-Osorio was charged in Cleveland County with two counts of trafficking crystal methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to traffic crystal methamphetamine. Javier Luvian-Navarro was charged in Gaston County with four counts of trafficking crystal methamphetamine, and charges for Rickie Shane Hooper are pending.

The investigation remains active.

Sheriff Alan Norman extends his appreciation to every investigator and agency involved throughout this operation, which proves interagency collaboration is a must in protecting our communities from these drug traffickers. Sheriff Norman states that the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to investigating and removing dangerous narcotics from our streets and neighborhoods.

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