Two men charged in a drug bust on Aurelian Springs Road in which 80 kilos of cocaine and $2 million in cash were seized in July have tentative sentencing dates set.
Luis Enrrique Arroyo-Jimenez entered a guilty plea in November to the second count lodged against him, which charges he and Andrew Richard Rodarte, a truck driver who delivered the cocaine to him, aided and abetted each other by possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.
As in Rodarte’s case, the first count against him will be dismissed. That count charges the men intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, agreed and had a tacit understanding with each other and other persons, known and unknown to the grand jury, to knowingly and intentionally distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.
Arroyo-Jimenez has a sentencing date set during the February 3 term of court in Raleigh while Rodarte is scheduled for sentencing in the April 20 term. District Court Judge James C. Dever III will preside over both cases.
According to a criminal complaint, members of the DEA conducted an investigation of suspected drug traffickers in Halifax County.
As part of that operation, investigators observed a mobile home in the 9000 block of Aurelian Springs Road in the Littleton area.
During the operation a semi-truck arrived at the residence. The driver of the vehicle was later identified as Rodarte.
Investigators then observed several individuals exit the residence and approach the vehicle. The individuals then accessed the sleeper compartment of the vehicle and unloaded several large duffel bags which were taken inside the residence.
Rodarte then left the residence.
Inside each bag were approximately 20 kilograms of cocaine for a total of 80 kilos. The substances were later field tested and the results were positive for cocaine.
Rodarte, according to the complaint, admitted to transporting the seized cocaine and said he had made at least five similar trips to other locations.
A subsequent search of his vehicle yielded the bulk currency.
