Drug-Sniffing Dogs Find 256 Pounds Of Marijuana In I-77 Stops

MOORESVILLE, NC — Iredell County deputies confiscated 256 pounds of high-grade marijuana worth an estimated $2.3 million during two separate traffic stops on Interstate 77 Thursday, according to the sheriff's office.

Both stops occurred in southbound lanes on the interstate in northern Iredell County.

"By removing this much illegal marijuana from the streets, it makes an immediate impact on the drug dealers who profit from this," Iredell Sheriff Darren Campbell said in a statement. "Today we made a dent in their pocket and sent a message about hauling drugs through Iredell County."

In the first stop, deputies brought in canine "Bosco" after stopping driver Xuequan Lu of Brooklyn, New York. Bosco indicated that controlled substances were inside the vehicle, and during a search, 118 pounds of high-grade Marijuana was found in the trunk.

Deputies took him into custody, but before they could leave the scene, they would be in pursuit of another vehicle with an even larger amount of high-grade marijuana in the trunk.

"After taking Xuequan LU into custody, and as this traffic stop was being concluded, the second vehicle drove by the deputies and failed to move over as required by law for flashing
blue lights," Iredell County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. "Based on this unsafe action, the suspect vehicle was stopped."

ICSO identified the second vehicle's driver as Xengming LI of Woodstock, Georgia.

"Suspecting that the two vehicles could be traveling together canine “Abby” was utilized at this traffic stop," ICSO said. Abby indicated drugs were inside the vehicle, which was confirmed when deputies conducted a search, and found 138 pounds of Marijuana in the trunk.

Both men were taken into custody, and during questioning, investigators learned the pair had been traveling together along the interstate with a third driver, who was not located.

LU and LI were both charged with felony trafficking by possession of marijuana; felony
trafficking by transportation of marijuana; felony possession with intent to sell or distribute
marijuana; and felony conspiracy to traffic marijuana.

Both men were transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where they were issued secured bonds of $400,000.