Cornelius Man Arrested, Accused Of Trafficking Drugs Into Iredell

IREDELL COUNTY, NC — A Cornelius man was arrested along Interstate 77 Tuesday and now faces multiple drug-related charges after authorities received a tip he was possibly headed to Iredell County with illegal narcotics, the sheriff's office said Thursday.

According to the Iredell County Sheriff's Office, investigators were told Hector Joseph Zayas, 33, was headed to Iredell County from his home located in One Norman Square apartment complex in Cornelius. Investigators set up a surveillance operation along the northbound lanes of the I-77, and pulled him over in a traffic stop at mile marker 44 when they spotted him.

"Deputies then deployed a canine to check for the presence of illegal narcotics," ICSO said. "The canine gave a positive indication."

Deputies then searched Zayas' vehicle and reportedly found Fentanyl, Xanax and a handgun. He was arrested at the scene and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center.

Zayas was charged with felony trafficking opium or heroin by possession; felony trafficking opium or heroin by transportation; and felony maintaining a vehicle for the sale or use of a controlled substance. He was issued a $300,000.00 secured bond on these charges, ICSO said.