$1.4 Million Cocaine Bust: Wake County Traffic Stop Leads to Arrests of Two Men, Major Drug Seizure
Traffic Stop on I-40 Uncovers Cocaine and Concealed Handgun
According to the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, deputies stopped a vehicle on Interstate 40 near Aviation Parkway on October 7, 2026.
During the stop, deputies enlisted the assistance of a WCSO K-9 unit.
Authorities reported recovering approximately three kilograms of cocaine and a concealed handgun from the vehicle.
The discovery prompted investigators to expand their investigation beyond the traffic stop.
Investigation Leads to Additional 11 Kilograms of Cocaine
Following the initial seizure, deputies continued their investigation, which led them to a residence.
At that location, investigators reported finding and seizing another 11 kilograms of cocaine.
Combined with the drugs recovered during the traffic stop, the seizures totaled approximately 14 kilograms — or nearly 31 pounds — of cocaine.
The sheriff’s office estimated the drugs’ street value at approximately $1.4 million.
Authorities did not disclose the residence’s location or provide additional details about how investigators connected the property to the initial traffic stop.
Two Men Arrested on Felony Drug Trafficking Charges
The Wake County Sheriff’s Office identified the two suspects and announced the following charges.
Jacob Ramos, 23, identified as the vehicle’s driver, faces:
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Two counts of trafficking in cocaine
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One count of carrying a concealed gun
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One count of driving without an operator’s license
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One window-tinting violation
Juan Valderrama-Beltran, 29, faces:
– Two counts of trafficking in cocaine
Both men were processed into the Wake County Detention Center.
According to the sheriff’s office, they were being held on $1 million bond. The agency’s announcement did not specify whether that amount was assigned individually to each defendant.
The charges are allegations. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Multiple Law Enforcement Agencies Assisted in Investigation
The Wake County Sheriff’s Office credited several local, state, and federal agencies for their assistance in the investigation.
Those agencies included the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), Cary Police Department and Guilford County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office did not specify the individual roles played by each agency.
Sheriff Willie Rowe: Deputies Will Use Every Available Resource
Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe emphasized the importance of cooperation among law enforcement agencies in combating illegal drug trafficking.
“This arrest should serve as a reminder that WCSO deputies will use every available resource to keep drugs and weapons out of Wake County and hold those who threaten our communities responsible,” Rowe said.
“The teamwork with our law enforcement partners is essential to these successful investigations and seizures.”
Investigation Highlights Scope of Alleged Drug Trafficking
The seizure represents a significant amount of cocaine recovered during an investigation that began with a routine vehicle stop.
The case also illustrates how a single traffic enforcement encounter can develop into a broader criminal investigation involving multiple agencies and locations.
Authorities have not announced whether additional suspects are being investigated or whether further arrests are anticipated.
The Wake County Sheriff’s Office has not released additional information about the origin or intended destination of the seized cocaine.
The criminal cases against Ramos and Valderrama-Beltran remain subject to the judicial process.