A community complaint about suspicious drug activity set off an investigation that Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say ended with three arrests and a stash of drugs, cash and guns pulled out of a local home.
CMPD said Sunday that detectives with the department's Vice & Narcotics Unit executed a search that turned up about 1.17 kilograms of suspected cocaine, more than 540 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a separate brown powder still awaiting lab analysis, five firearms - including one confirmed stolen - and $1,489 in cash. Three people were taken into custody, according to the department.
The agency shared the results on its official X account, CMPD News, calling the case an example of how its vice detectives are trying to keep "dangerous individuals" and illegal weapons off Charlotte streets.
Our Vice & Narcotics Unit continues to make a powerful difference in our community - shutting down major drug trafficking operations and taking harmful substances, illegal weapons and dangerous individuals off the streets. Following a community complaint of suspected narcotic activity, our investigation yielded multiple seizures and arrests. https://x.com/i/status/2050968633497768108
— CMPD (@CMPD) May 3, 2026
What detectives say they found
According to details released by the department, detectives recovered approximately 1,168.7 grams of suspected cocaine, more than 540 grams of suspected methamphetamine and more than 710 grams of a brown powder that is pending laboratory analysis. Officers also reported seizing $1,489 in U.S. currency and five firearms, including one that police say was reported stolen.
Three suspects were arrested during the operation.
- Wang Meng Moua, 43 - charged with trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances.
- Kevin Vang, 36 - charged with trafficking methamphetamine and conspiracy.
- Jose Antonio Muniz Santiago, 54 - charged with methamphetamine trafficking and conspiracy.
CMPD said the investigation began with a community tip about suspected drug activity at the location and that the case is still active. The agency outlined the arrests and charges on its X account, CMPD News.
Context: part of a larger enforcement push
This is not the only recent case where CMPD detectives say they have pulled significant amounts of narcotics and stolen guns off the street. Local coverage this spring has highlighted several similar operations targeting street-level trafficking and weapons possession.
As reported by WSOC, officers recently recovered large quantities of drugs and firearms in related searches, part of what officials describe as a broader effort to clamp down on trafficking and raise awareness about fentanyl and counterfeit pills. Police continue to stress that community tips are often what kickstart these investigations.
Legal and public-safety notes
All charges announced in this case are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in court. Prosecutors will now review CMPD's investigation and decide on formal filings and the next steps in the case.
Anyone with information about this investigation or other suspected narcotics activity is urged to contact local authorities using emergency or non-emergency channels.
