Police in North Carolina recovered a hefty amount of cash and illicit drugs during a dramatic bust over the weekend.
Residents in Charlotte reported to patrol officers about suspicious activity in the vicinity of Hatton Cross Drive in Steele Creek, leading to the arrest of three men Friday afternoon.
The suspects taken into custody include Socrates Jhoneril Gomez, 32, Anthony Joseph Espinal, 30 and Jesus Manuel Rosario, 24.
Police are still searching for a fourth said suspect in the bust, Christian Nunez, 21.
Inside the Charlotte, North Carolina home, police found $500,000 in cash wrapped in duct tape and dunked in grease
During the bust, $100,000 worth of drugs was recovered, which included ‘cocaine wrapped as bricks,’ opiates and marijuana
Inside the home, authorities found more than $500,000 in cash wrapped ‘in duct tape, dunked in grease and kept in metal containers’ as well as $100,000 worth of drugs – including ‘cocaine wrapped as bricks,’ opiates, marijuana and two weapons according to WCNC.
Neighbors in the area said watching the arrests play out were like watching a ‘movie’ in the normally serene neighborhood.
‘The (officers) were introducing themselves as CMPD and the next thing I know they’re busting through the door, witness Rob Wyatt told the local newspaper.
‘I think they had a battering ram … Almost scripted like a movie,’ Wyatt said.
The arrests took place in what neighbors described as the normally serene neighborhood of Hatton Cross Drive in Steele Creek
Sgt. Danny Meyers said ‘people get shot over small amounts and this is a huge amount’
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Sgt. Danny Meyers credited locals for their help in cracking the criminals.
‘If the neighborhood didn’t speak up and tell us what was going on, these individuals would still be out there,’ Meyers said.
‘People get shot over small amounts and this is a huge amount,’ he added.
All three men were ‘charged with conspiracy to traffic in cocaine greater than 400 grams, felony possession of cocaine, trafficking in opium/heroin/opiates,’ according to WSBTV.
They were also charged with ‘possession with intent to sell/distribute marijuana, felony possession of marijuana, maintaining a dwelling, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia not for marijuana.’
The police department is offering a $1,000 reward for anyone with clues leading to the arrest of Nunez.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department shared photos that offer a sneak peek into the drug bust
Police are offering a $1,000 reward for anyone with clues leading to the arrest of the fourth suspect