SALISBURY — After a 14-month investigation by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Investigative Unit, Joshua Marquis Byrd was arrested on drug charges Monday in Greensboro. 

Byrd, 34, is charged with nine counts of trafficking in opium or heroin, two counts of possession of a counterfeit controlled substance, and three counts of possession of methamphetamine. 

Byrd has an extensive violent criminal history and is a known gang member, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He was previously charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, assault on a public officer and multiple drug possession offenses.

Byrd was issued a $500,000 secured bond and is being held at the Guilford County Detention Facility.