By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

ROCKWELL — Rowan authorities are bringing more charges against a Rockwell man known as a major player in heroin distribution. Two others have been charged following a June 9 bust at the Nazareth Home Road house where he lived.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Grady “Eddie” Edward Austin Jr., 57, with conspiracy to traffick 28 grams or more of heroin, trafficking 28 grams or more of heroin by transportation and possession of a stolen firearm. Austin is the primary resident of the home at 375 Nazareth Home Road.

Investigators originally searched the home June 9 after undercover operatives made several controlled buys of heroin and methamphetamine from Austin. During that search investigators found and seized weapons and ammunition, cash, pills, meth ice, marijuana and other paraphernalia.

Austin was charged with trafficking heroin and other offenses following the search. He was placed in the Rowan County jail under a $2 million bond, where he remains. The latest charges were made Tuesday, but were in connection to the June 9 search.

The stolen firearm, a .45, had been entered stolen by the Concord Police Department in 2013, authorities said.

There were a total of seven firearms seized during the search and investigators are still attempting to determine if others were stolen.

Tracie Farrington Moss, 48, who lived at the Nazareth Home Road residence, was arrested at the location and charged with felony possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor possession of marijuana and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

These charges were the result of items found in her purse during the June 9 search. She was placed under a $25,000 bond and remains in custody at the Rowan County Detention Center. Moss had been out on bond for a March 25 arrest by the Salisbury Police Department for possession of heroin.

Joshua Wayne Eldreth, 28, of 237 East Third St., Faith, was arrested at a location on Artz Road, Salisbury. Eldreth was charged with conspiracy to traffick 28 grams or more of heroin and trafficking 28 grams or more of heroin by transportation.

Authorities say evidence developed during the investigation showed Eldreth drove Austin to the Charlotte metro area to procure heroin from Mexican suppliers and bring it back to Rowan County for distribution.  Eldreth was placed under a $60,000 bond and remains in the Rowan County Detention Center.