HAMLET — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has charged a man with drug trafficking after federal officials intercepted a package of pot from Mexico.
Sheriff Mark Gulledge said in a press release Tuesday that investigators with his office’s vice/narcotics unit were notified on Jan. 26 by agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection about a package bound for an Airport Road address that was intercepted and found to contain suspected marijuana.
A law enforcement officer delivered the package to the address on Monday, Jan. 31, according to the press release.
Gulledge said the person at the home would not accept the package and told the officer to leave it on the porch.
Soon after, 42-year-old Eubelialdo Haro-Ramirez arrived at the residence, went inside for an unspecified amount of time, then came out and loaded the packages into his vehicle, according to Gulledge.
Investigators and members of the RCSO Special Response Team secured the vehicle, detained Ramirez and recovered the package, which Gulledge said contained 25.6 pounds of marijuana.
Ramirez was arrested and charged with trafficking in marijuana; possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule VI controlled substance; and maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance.
Investigators also served Ramirez with an outstanding order for arrest for failing to appear in court on charges of trafficking in marijuana, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance and possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine from July 9, 2007, according to a press release.
Ramirez was booked into the Richmond County Jail under a combined $200,000 secured bond. Jail records show his court date for the FTA and drug charges is scheduled for Feb. 10.
Records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction show Ramirez was convicted of driving while impaired and maintaining any place for a controlled substance in December 2000 and was given probation.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
