IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — A 44-year-old Charlotte man faces multiple felony drug and weapons charges after deputies seized approximately 152 pounds of marijuana products valued at $225,000 during a traffic stop in Iredell County.
Clarence Edgar Winslow was arrested on Sept. 16 after Lt. C.S. Little pulled over his vehicle on Harmony Highway, where authorities also recovered a loaded concealed handgun and over $5,000 in cash.
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The arrest took place in northern Iredell County when deputies observed signs of impairment and suspected drug activity during the routine stop. A vehicle search uncovered boxes of marijuana, marijuana wax, ecstasy pills, an open container of alcohol, cash and packaging consistent with drug distribution.
Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell detailed the initial encounter on Harmony Highway.
“On Sept. 16, Lt. C.S. Little was patrolling northern Iredell County when he conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Harmony Highway,” Campbell said. “During the traffic stop, deputies observed signs that led them to investigate further for possible drug activity and impairment.”
Deputies then searched the vehicle, discovering contraband in a backpack and throughout the car.
“During a search of the vehicle, Lieutenant Little and Deputy T. Pass located a loaded concealed handgun inside a backpack, multiple ecstasy pills, an open container of alcohol, more than $5,000 in cash and several vacuum-sealed packages containing marijuana,” Campbell said.
As the search continued, deputies located bulk quantities of narcotics.
“As deputies continued the search, they discovered boxes containing approximately 150 pounds of marijuana, along with 2.74 pounds of marijuana wax,” Campbell said in a news release. “In total, deputies seized approximately 152 pounds of marijuana and marijuana products, with an estimated street value of approximately $225,000.”
Campbell added that the drug packaging and other physical evidence were “consistent with distribution.”
Winslow was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center on multiple charges. He faces felony Level II trafficking by transport and possession, felony possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, felony possession of Schedule I ecstasy, felony carrying a concealed gun and felony possession of Schedule VI marijuana wax. Additionally, Winslow was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana paraphernalia, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while impaired, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving and possession of an open container of alcohol.
Winslow appeared before Magistrate S. Johnson following his arrest. Johnson issued a $200,000 secured bond on the drug and firearm charges, along with a $2,500 secured bond for the driving while impaired charge, bringing his total secured bond to $202,500.