What started as a routine traffic stop on Interstate 85 north near Exit 14 on Tuesday turned into a major bust, as Gastonia police say they pulled more than a dozen pounds of black tar heroin off the highway and out of circulation.
Investigators estimate the stash at roughly $500,000 on the street. The driver, identified by police as 34-year-old Avimael Perez, was taken into custody and is being held without bond, according to authorities.
What officers say
During the stop, officers found five individually wrapped packages of suspected narcotics and called in the Gaston County Police Special Investigations Unit to assist, as reported by WCCB Charlotte. Investigators later determined the bundles contained more than 12 pounds of black tar heroin, with an estimated street value near $500,000. Perez was arrested at the scene and taken to the Gaston County Jail, where officials say he remains held with no bond.
I-85 remains a common route for interdictions
Interstate 85 has become familiar ground for drug and cash seizures in recent months, which is exactly why county and state units keep such a close eye on the corridor. Earlier this year, law enforcement detailed a major cash seizure on I-85 that investigators linked to drug activity, according to WSOC-TV.
Why black tar matters
Black tar is a gum-like form of heroin often tied to Mexican-sourced shipments. While powder heroin dominates parts of the East Coast market, tar still shows up in large, multi-kilogram seizures. The Drug Enforcement Administration's 2024 Annual Heroin Report found that Mexican-origin samples made up the majority of analyzed seizures and that black tar exhibits represented a significant share of wholesale-weight submissions. The 2024 report from DEA compiles national lab data and trend analysis.
Next steps and legal process
So far, authorities have not said how the heroin was concealed in the vehicle or whether federal partners will step into the investigation, according to WCCB Charlotte. Gaston County police say the investigation is ongoing and are asking anyone with information about the stop to contact the department.
