Newton Drug Bust Turns Up Cocaine In Infant's Room

NEWTON, N.C.,None — A traffic stop led to the discovery of approximately 186 grams of powder cocaine hidden in an infant's bedroom in Newton.

It started Wednesday at about 4 p.m. when Investigator Chris Owen of the Catawba County Sheriff's Office stopped a green 2004 Chrysler Pacifica on US 321 Business in Newton.

Owen searched the car with his K-9 partner Varik and found two ounces of cocaine.

The driver, 31-year-old Alma Leticia Alvalos-Martinez, 31, was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine. Her bond was set at $25,000 secured and an immigration detainer was placed on her, because she's in this country illegally, according to the Catawba County Sheriff's Office.

After the traffic stop, the Catawba County Sheriff's Office, along with the Newton and Hickory police departments, served a search warrant at 911 S. Brady Ave.

During the search, officers found powder cocaine hidden in an infant's bedroom. They also found and seized more than $9,000 in cash.

Jonathan Andres Mazo Lopez was charged with trafficking cocaine and maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances. His bond was set at $100,000 secured.

Alvalos-Martinez was also charged with a second count of trafficking and maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances. Her bond was set at $100,000 secured.

The cocaine seized during the traffic stop has a street value of about $1,800 or $5,600 if it were divided up and repackaged for individual sale, according to the Catawba County Sheriff's Office.

The cocaine seized from the infant's room has a street value of about $5,940 or $18,600 if it were divided up and repackaged for individual sale, according to the Newton Police Department.

Both suspects' first court appearances are scheduled for Monday.

WSOC