IFN Staff

Two men face drug trafficking charges following a two-month investigation into the sale and distribution of cocaine in East Statesville by the Statesville Police Department.

The SPD announced the arrests of Ralph Sherburne Zartuche, 40, of Nelly Green Circle, Statesville, and Raymond Dewayne Ramseur, 44, of Briskle Drive, Statesville, in a news release Monday.

On Thursday, March 12, SPD personnel executed a search warrant at a residence located at 606 Nelly Green Circle, police said. During the search, investigators seized more than five ounces of cocaine and 17.5 grams of fentanyl, according to the news release.

Zartuche and Ramseur, the two primary suspects identified during the course of the investigation, were present at the residence when the search warrant was executed. Both were taken into custody without incident.

Zartuche was charged with trafficking in cocaine and trafficking in fentanyl and received a $750,000 secured bond.

Ramseur was charged with trafficking in cocaine and received a $750,000 secured bond. Ramseur has 27 pending felony cases, all involving the sale or possession of cocaine, police said.

Both individuals were transported to the Iredell County Detention Center.

The SPD remains committed to identifying and disrupting the distribution of illegal narcotics in the community. Anyone with information about illegal drug activity is encouraged to contact the Statesville Police Department at 704-878-3406.