8 charged in drug conspiracy operating in Mecklenburg County

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Eight people were arrested and are facing federal drug conspiracy charges for their involvement in a drug distribution ring operating in Mecklenburg County after a 10-month investigation, according to U.S. Attorney General Andrew Murray.

“The arrests of these individuals are a testament to the high level of cooperation between our federal and local law enforcement counterparts as we work together to achieve our common goal: to disrupt drug networks from operating in this district and to stem the flow of drugs they pour into our communities," Murray said.

According to investigators and court documents, since 2015, the eight charged operated as a drug conspiracy responsible for trafficking methamphetamine and heroin in Mecklenburg County and surrounding areas.

The defendants named in the 33-count indictment are all charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Some of the defendants face additional drug trafficking and money laundering offenses.

Rodolfo Medina, Jose Reyes and Kevin Velasquez Melendez are also charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and possession with intent to distribute heroin.

Emilio Mejia, Kevin Velasquez Melendez, Mauco Contreras and Alejandro Ceballos are charged with additional counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Rodolfo Medina and Martha Beltran are also facing charges of international money laundering, stemming from money transfers of drug proceeds wired to Mexico.

A separate criminal indictment was filed charging Brandy Nicole Short, 34, of Gastonia with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, bringing the total number of those arrested in connection this investigation to nine.

The penalties associated with the drug charges range from a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of up to life in prison and a monetary fine of up to $10 million. The money laundering charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Cox Media Group