SALISBURY — Mark Albert Blassingame of Salisbury was convicted on drug charges this week in Rowan County Criminal Superior Court.

Blassingame was convicted on two counts of felony trafficking in opium or heroin; three counts of felony possession with intent to manufacture or sell heroin; three counts of felony selling heroin; and felony selling a Schedule VI controlled substance.

Judge Mark Klass sentenced Blassingame to a minimum of 70 months to a maximum of 93 months in prison and ordered a fine of $50,000.

During the course of an ongoing investigation, detectives with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office used undercover detectives to buy heroin from Blassingame.

On Sept. 17, 2015, an undercover detective bought $500 worth of heroin, along with Xanax. On Feb. 9, 2016, and Feb. 11, 2016, an undercover detective bought heroin from Blassingame. On March 4, 2016, an undercover detective bought heroin from Blassingame.

He was then arrested.

Rowan County District Attorney Brandy Cook thanked Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Suneson and the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office for seeing that Blassingame was brought to justice.

Cook said heroin continues to have a destructive impact on the community and that her office will continue to hold those who sell illegal narcotics accountable for their actions.