Iredell County Sheriff’s Interstate Criminal Enforcement team stopped and searched a vehicle Wednesday, finding $600,000 worth of heroin in a concealed compartment.
Team members stopped a 2007 Jeep Cherokee on I-77 in Iredell County. After further investigation, a search of the vehicle was conducted and two hidden compartments were found in the vehicle.
One of the compartments was empty which would give the impression that the car was not carrying anything illegal. The second compartment, located under the back cargo area, was well concealed and mechanically operated. In this compartment, three kilos (6.6 pounds) were concealed. The street value of this seizure is over $600,000.
The heroin in this case was of a high grade, and could have been doubled to over 6,000 grams (about 212 ounces, or 13 pounds), once it makes it to the dealers who often cut the high purity levels in half. By using this method, dealers can increase their profits from the sale of the narcotics.
Deputies arrested the occupant of the vehicle, Nakeeya Sonya Easterling of 2754 Cherry Lane, Bethlehem. Pa. She was charged with trafficking heroin by possession, and trafficking heroin by transportation. Easterling is in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $250,000 secured bond.