Deputies bust heroin, cocaine drug ring

Joel Alejandres Santibanez

Juan Antonio Molina

Three kilograms of cocaine and the heroin seized. Photo by Rowan County Sheriff's Office.

One kilogram of seized heroin. Photo by Rowan County Sheriff's Office.

12455 Old Beatty Ford Road, home of wanted suspect Juan Antonio Molina. Photo by Rowan County Sheriff's Office.

SALISBURY — A Salisbury man was arrested and another is on the run after deputies seized 3 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of heroin and $139,000 in cash from a Salisbury residence on July 26.

According to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, Joel Alejandres Santibanez was given a $1,000,000 bond after deputies raided his home at 285 Cauble Stout Circle.

Detectives are also searching for Juan Antonio Molina, 30, who lives at 12455 Old Beatty Ford Road. Molina is believed to have fled the state, a press release stated.

According to the release, the Special Investigations Unit began investigating a tip about suspicious activity at the Old Beatty Ford Road home in March.

The tip notified deputies that Hispanic subjects were possibly involved in illegal drug activity.

The report said deputies contacted the State Bureau of Investigation and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

The report said other residences and suspects became known during the course of the investigation, including Salisbury residences at 220 Patriot Circle, 620 W. Franklin St. and 220 Chesapeake Drive. Deputies reported that 360 Mt. Hall Road, Cleveland, was also involved in the investigation.

According to the report, the group has been identified as one of the major suppliers of cocaine and heroin in and around Rowan County.

Santibanez was charged with felony trafficking in cocaine, felony trafficking in heroin and two counts of felony possession of heroin.

He was placed under a $1,000,000 bond.

Investigators have also obtained warrants for Molina. He is wanted for felony trafficking in cocaine and felony trafficking in heroin.

Anyone with information on Molina is asked to call Lt. Chad Moose at 704-216-8687, Det. J. Alderman 704-216-8694 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.