24-year-old Alexander Jett Vella of Roanoke, Virginia was arrested by Iredell County Sheriff’s Officers Tuesday (October 3) on felony counts of trafficking opiates by transport, trafficking opiates by possession, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, and maintaining a vehicle for the sale or use of a controlled substance. He was also charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana up to half-an-ounce and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Events leading to the arrest began as Officers stopped a 2017 Honda Civic for a traffic violation on Interstate 77 southbound near Mile Marker 63. While speaking with the driver, Alexander Jett Vella, Deputies noticed the strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A search was conducted, leading to the discovery of 5.7 grams of fentanyl, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Vella was taken into custody and placed in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $4,500 secured bond. He’ll appear in District Court on October 25.