Traffic stop leads to drug discovery, street value of $300,000
- Staff Reports
- 13 hours ago
- 1 min read
Staff reports | Cleveland County Sheriff's Office
CRIME – Cleveland County is a safer place thanks to the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).
On Aug. 1, 2026, The CCSO Interdiction Team assisted Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) crime, gun and suppression unit with a narcotics investigation involving Walter AJavier Villeda-Ayala.
The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office Community Interdiction Team observed Villeda-Ayala traveling North on Interstate 85 in Cleveland County. The Community Interdiction Team conducted a traffic stop for numerous driving violations. Following a positive indication from a Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office canine, a probable cause search was conducted and approximately 3 kilograms (3,000 grams) of suspected cocaine was located in the vehicle.
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Villeda-Ayala was arrested and charged with two counts of Trafficking Cocaine. Villeda-Ayala was given a 500,000 secured bond and is currently being held on an immigration detainer.
The 3 kilograms of suspects cocaine seized during the traffic stop has a street value of approximately $300,000. dollars.
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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This is a press release of The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office.
The Shelby Independent.