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WAXHAW, N.C. - Union County deputies arrested six people Tuesday on drug trafficking charges after seizing about 830 pounds of marijuana valued at $665,000, authorities said.
"You could smell it when you were in the driveway," said Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey. "The drug dog also detected marijuana in the bed of a truck, but I didn't need the dog because I could smell it too."
Bricks of marijuana sealed in plastic were scattered through the house, Cathey said. More was found beneath a fiberglass truck bed. Already armed with a search warrant for the house, investigators obtained a second warrant for the truck.
Three children under the age of 6 were in the house. The mother of an infant, who was also present, was not charged and allowed to leave. The Department of Social Services arranged for the care of the other two children.
Gustavo L. Benavides, 27, of Charlotte; his brother, Adalberto L. Benavides; David R. Perez, 23, of California; Gerardo Rodriguez, 22, of Fayetteville; Olga L. Villagran, 27, and Rafael Amezcua, 35, both of the residence, were charged.
Rodriguez is in the U.S. Army, Cathey said.
A 9 mm handgun, nearly $4,000 of cash, two Chevrolet trucks and a Ford Focus were also seized, Cathey said.
Samples of the marijuana are to be taken for analysis by the State Bureau of Investigation. The remainder of the marijuana will be destroyed.
Breaking News, Sports, Weather & More | The Charlotte Observer
"You could smell it when you were in the driveway," said Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey. "The drug dog also detected marijuana in the bed of a truck, but I didn't need the dog because I could smell it too."
Bricks of marijuana sealed in plastic were scattered through the house, Cathey said. More was found beneath a fiberglass truck bed. Already armed with a search warrant for the house, investigators obtained a second warrant for the truck.
Three children under the age of 6 were in the house. The mother of an infant, who was also present, was not charged and allowed to leave. The Department of Social Services arranged for the care of the other two children.
Gustavo L. Benavides, 27, of Charlotte; his brother, Adalberto L. Benavides; David R. Perez, 23, of California; Gerardo Rodriguez, 22, of Fayetteville; Olga L. Villagran, 27, and Rafael Amezcua, 35, both of the residence, were charged.
Rodriguez is in the U.S. Army, Cathey said.
A 9 mm handgun, nearly $4,000 of cash, two Chevrolet trucks and a Ford Focus were also seized, Cathey said.
Samples of the marijuana are to be taken for analysis by the State Bureau of Investigation. The remainder of the marijuana will be destroyed.
Breaking News, Sports, Weather & More | The Charlotte Observer
