California man arrested on drug charges on I-77

Published 4:05 pm Thursday, February 9, 2017

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Interstate Criminal Enforcement Team stopped a Buick with Maryland tags on I-77 Monday for traffic violations.

During the stop, the driver, Long Bina Nguyen, acted nervous. He said he was traveling to California. A patrol dog was used to walk around the vehicle.

The dog indicated the presence of narcotics, leading to a hand search of the vehicle. Deputies found three large duffle bags and two large cardboard boxes containing vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana.

Nguyen’s name was run through various data systems and it was found he had an outstanding fugitive warrant form California for burglary. He was taken to the Iredell County Narcotics Investigation Office and the car was thoroughly searched. In all, 70 packages of marijuana were found, weighing 90 pounds and having an estimated street value of $450,000.

Nguyen was charged with trafficking in marijuana by possession, trafficking in marijuana by transport, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and a fugitive warrant for burglary in California.

He was placed under $800,000 bond.