A traffic stop in Iredell County led to the arrest of a Statesville man after deputies reportedly discovered a stolen handgun and cocaine inside his vehicle.

According to Sheriff Darren Campbell, Sergeant Souther with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Wilkesboro Highway around 2:10 p.m. on May 17. The driver was identified as 29-year-old Jiceri Sankwan Tucker of Statesville.

During the investigation, Sergeant Souther learned Tucker’s North Carolina driver’s license was suspended. Deputy Greene and K9 Elio responded to assist, and the canine alerted deputies to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle.

Authorities say a search of the vehicle uncovered cocaine hidden inside a cigarette pack along with a stolen Smith & Wesson Shield 9mm handgun.

Investigators confirmed the firearm had previously been reported stolen in an earlier Iredell County case. Deputies also determined Tucker had a prior felony conviction from 2023, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm.

Tucker was arrested and charged with felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of cocaine, maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving while license revoked.

He was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center and jailed under no bond because Tucker was already out on bond at the time of his arrest.

Officials said the recovered handgun will be returned to its rightful owner once the judicial process is complete.