SALISBURY — Three people were charged with possession of crack cocaine and other offenses after an undercover investigation, according to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives with the Special Investigations Unit and the Salisbury Police Department’s Narcotic Unit conducted a joint investigation into illicit sales of crack cocaine and prescription medication.

The investigation began in July and ended with the arrests of three people on Aug. 23, officials said.

Undercover detectives purchased a total of 57.6 grams of suspected crack cocaine and 40 dosages of suspected Xanax tablets. Investigators served a search warrant at 106 Chestnut St., Apartment 2B, authorities said.

Investigators confiscated a 9 mm Luger semi-automatic pistol; 5.56 Aero Precession rifle; 9 mm and 5.56 ammunition; seven Xanax tablets; 22 grams of suspected cocaine; and drug paraphernalia.

The three people who were charged are:

• Preston Rayvon Hillie Jr., conspiring to sell a Schedule IV controlled substance; misdemeanor possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance; possession with intent to sell a counterfeit controlled substance; selling a Schedule IV controlled substance; conspiring to sell cocaine; two counts of possession with intent to sell cocaine; two counts of possession with intent to sell a Schedule IV substance; three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia; felony conspiracy; two counts of maintaining a vehicle for selling controlled substances; and possession of a firearm by a felon.

He was issued an $85,000 secured bond and has since been released from the Rowan County Detention Center.

• Rodney George Withers was charged with selling a Schedule IV controlled substance; misdemeanor possession of a Schedule VI substance; possession with intent to sell a counterfeit substance; possession of drug paraphernalia; and felony conspiracy.

Withers was issued a $15,000 secured bond and has since been released from the county jail.

Officials said while officers were serving the arrest warrants, both Hillie and Withers had a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle they were in.

• Desiree Idella Spence was charged with possession with intent to sell a Schedule II controlled substance; selling a Schedule IV substance; possession with intent to sell a Schedule IV substance; maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for the sale of a controlled substance; selling a counterfeit controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Spence was issued a $10,000 secured bond and has since been released from the county jail.