Eight Triad Residents Among 38 Charged in Major Drug Trafficking Bust

GREENSBORO, NC – Federal authorities have charged 38 individuals in a sweeping indictment for their alleged roles in a massive drug trafficking conspiracy involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine hydrochloride. Among those arrested, eight individuals hail from the High Point and Winston-Salem areas, highlighting the local reach of this national operation.

Triad Defendants

The eight individuals from the Triad area include:

• Crandall Ortis Ingram, 32, of High Point, also known as “Turk”
• Anthony Okurtis Rashad Lloyd, 29, of High Point, also known as “Ant”
• Bernard Esquire Cain, 33, of Winston-Salem
• Ahmad Rashaun Saunders, 31, of Winston-Salem, also known as “Heart”
• Jorge Antonio Lopez-Valdez, 18, of Glendale, AZ, with ties to Triad distribution
• Damon Lee Ingram, 46, of High Point, also known as “Danky”
• Erick Lemar Pollard, 42, of Winston-Salem, also known as “Black” or “E”
• Michael William Curtis, 49, of Archdale, NC

Case Overview

The indictment alleges that the organization trafficked large quantities of illegal drugs across North Carolina and beyond and sophisticated money laundering operations carried out through a complex network. The operation involved defendants from multiple states, including Arizona and Mexico, with the Triad serving as a key hub.

Among the items seized were:

• 30 kilograms of fentanyl
• 80 kilograms of methamphetamine
• 14 kilograms of cocaine
• Over $600,000 in cash

If convicted, the defendants face severe sentences, including life imprisonment for narcotics trafficking and up to 20 years for money laundering conspiracy.

Arrests and Proceedings

Of the 38 defendants, 37 are now in custody, with many apprehended in the Dec. 10 coordinated operation. Initial court appearances for those arrested locally will occur before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joi E. Peake in the Middle District of North Carolina.

Investigative Efforts

The case is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program, uniting agencies such as:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• Homeland Security Investigations
• North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement
• Multiple local law enforcement agencies from High Point, Winston-Salem, and beyond

Community Impact

“This operation underscores the growing threat of narcotics trafficking in our communities, including here in the Triad,” said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston. “The arrests today are a significant step in dismantling a network responsible for distributing dangerous drugs that devastate lives and neighborhoods.”

Residents of the Triad are encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to help combat the ongoing drug crisis in the region.

Feature photo: Katrin  Bolovtsova