Large Drug Bust: Marijuana | Eastern NC Now

Press Release

    On March 9, 2014, Investigators with the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office Drug Unit arrested Eduardo Alberto Rosales, 29 years of age, of 5104 Dunlavin Road Charlotte, NC and Jose Luis Ortiz, 43 years of age, also of 5104 Dunlavin Road Charlotte, NC. Their arrest stemmed from Investigators receiving information that a large quantity of marijuana was being distributed from a residence in Beaufort County. Investigators conducted surveillance and witnessed a white work van with South Carolina tags arrive and depart from the residence. Deputies with the Patrol Division conducted a vehicle stop on the white van with Rosales as the driver and Ortiz as a passenger. Deputies determined Rosales did not have a valid driver's license and also detected an odor of marijuana coming from the van.



    Investigators in the Drug Unit along with K-9 Elza responded to the scene to assist with the traffic stop. K-9 Elza alerted on several locations in the van including a black box containing several wooden plaques and a child's booster seat. A quantity of compressed marijuana was found mixed in with some clothing in the van. Investigators continued to search and discovered several pounds of compressed marijuana stuffed into the child's booster seat. Investigators also discovered each wooden plaque also contained compressed bricks of marijuana. The total amount of marijuana seized as a result of the search was nearly 44 pounds, along with several thousand dollars in cash.
Here we see the wooden plaques infused with compressed Marijuana: Above. Compressed Marijuana in the Child's Seat: Below.
    Jose Ortiz and Eduardo Rosales were arrested and charged with Trafficking in Marijuana by Possession, Trafficking in Marijuana by Transportation and Conspiracy to Traffic in Marijuana. Eduardo Rosales was also charged with Maintaining a Vehicle to Facilitate Drug Activity. Both Ortiz and Rosales were confined in the Beaufort County Detention Center under $100,000 bonds.

Here we see one of the heroes of the day, K-9 Elza, posing with the contraband: Above.


    Lt. Josh Shiflett
      Beaufort County Sheriff's Office