By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

Rowan authorities charged two Mooresville men with drug trafficking after they sold pills to undercover officers.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Ibn Khalif Thompson, 28, of the 300 block of West McNeely Avenue, Apt. H, and Christian Raenard Carter, 22, of the 700 block of White Oaks Road, on Monday.

The men were arrested, a statement said, after they sold hydrocodone to an undercover Rowan Sheriff’s investigator. Authorities said the sale took place in southwestern Rowan County. Rowan officials were assisted by Mooresville Police.

The investigation began in November 2014, after Rowan County investigators received information that Thompson was trafficking in opioid pain medication. On November 13, 2014, December 3, 2014, and May 21, 2015, investigators purchased oxycodone and hydrocodone tablets from Thompson, leading to the final purchase on June 29, 2015.

Thompson was charged with nine counts of trafficking opium/heroin, one count of conspiracy to traffick opium/heroin, one count of sell/deliver oxycodone, and one count of possession with intent to sell/deliver/manufacture oxycodone.

Carter was charged with one count of conspiracy to traffick opium/heroin.  Thompson was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $250,000 secured bond, while Carter’s bond was set at $25,000 secured. Both men remain in the county jail.

The investigation is continuing with other arrests possible, officials said.

In 2013, Thompson was convicted of tattooing a minor and in 2007 a felony offense in New Jersey.