SALISBURY — A man was arrested after deputies initiated an investigation, including undercover operations, into him on the suspicion of selling drugs.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Unit initiated the investigation in October because officers suspected the man was selling drugs, according to a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office. During the investigation, undercover deputies with the SIU performed undercover drug buys in the parking lot of Hendrix Barbecue, located on Salisbury Avenue in Spencer. 

Deputies reportedly purchased 10 dosage units of Oxycodone and 1.1 grams of crushed Oxycodone on Nov. 15 and 17 dosage units of Oxycodone on Nov. 30. Officers closed the undercover investigation and arrested the man on Dec. 5, where he was also found to allegedly be in possession of an extra 30 dosage units of Oxycodone and one gram of marijuana. The arrest was made by personnel from the SIU and the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Apprehension Team.

The man was identified as 29-year-old James Alexander Blount, who was charged with two counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance; possession of a schedule II controlled substance with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver; and possession of a schedule VI controlled substance. Blount was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center and given a $20,000 bond.