IFN Staff

Two suspects face multiple charges, including drug trafficking, as the result of an Iredell County Sheriff’s Office investigation.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrests of Brittany Nicole Bean, 29, of North Summit Avenue, Granite Falls, and Demario Deonta Stewart, 41, of Shannonbrook Drive, Newton, in a news release Wednesday.

They were arrested on Monday as ICSO narcotics detectives and members of the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team executed a search warrant at the Red Roof Inn, located at 1508 E. Broad Street, following an ongoing narcotics investigation, Campbell said.

Bean and Stewart, both of whom were wanted on outstanding felony drug warrants from neighboring counties, were found in a room along with “a dangerous mix of illegal narcotics and evidence tied to drug trafficking operations,” according to the news release.

ICSO personnel seized trafficking amounts of fentanyl powder, crystal methamphetamine, alprazolam pills, drug paraphernalia, and U.S. currency believed to be proceeds from narcotics sales, Campbell said.

Investigators said the amount of fentanyl recovered posed a serious threat to the community, as even small quantities of the drug can be deadly.

Bean and Stewart were taken into custody and served with their outstanding warrants and additional charges stemming from the investigation.

Bean was charged with Felony Trafficking in Fentanyl, Felony Conspiracy to Traffic Opium or Heroin, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Fentanyl and Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Schedule III Controlled Substance

Stewart was charged with Felony Trafficking in Fentanyl, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Fentanyl and Felony Conspiracy to Traffic Opium or Heroin.

The Sheriff’s Office will continue to aggressively target individuals involved in the distribution of dangerous narcotics throughout Iredell County, Campbell said.

“Fentanyl continues to devastate families and communities across our country,” he said. “Our deputies and detectives remain committed to tracking down those responsible for bringing these deadly drugs into our neighborhoods.”

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Hickory Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their continued partnership and assistance in helping remove dangerous narcotics from the streets of Iredell County.