Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Three In Drug Trafficking Investigation

IREDELL COUNTY — Three people have been charged following a months-long methamphetamine trafficking investigation that spanned Iredell and Davie counties and ended with a vehicle pursuit and the seizure of large quantities of drugs.

According to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, detectives spent the past three months investigating a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy involving 31-year-old Emily Ann Millsaps of Mocksville, 28-year-old Abraham Valadez of Greensboro, and 55-year-old Bryan Ashley Blansett of Statesville.

Investigators say they identified connections between Millsaps and Blansett, who had previously been arrested on trafficking and conspiracy charges. Detectives attempted to arrange a controlled transaction in Iredell County, but authorities say Millsaps repeatedly refused to conduct drug-related activity in the county due to her history of arrests there.

As the investigation continued, detectives learned Millsaps and Valadez were traveling to Davie County for what was believed to be a narcotics transaction. On June 9, detectives coordinated with the Davie County Sheriff’s Office to stop the suspects.

Authorities say Millsaps and Valadez fled when deputies attempted to make contact, triggering a vehicle pursuit that began in Davie County and continued into Iredell County. During the chase, investigators say narcotics were thrown from the vehicle.

Deputies deployed spike strips in northern Iredell County, bringing the pursuit to an end. Millsaps and Valadez were taken into custody without further incident.

Following the arrests, detectives recovered drugs discarded along the pursuit route as well as additional narcotics inside the vehicle.

Investigators seized approximately 624 grams of methamphetamine, 30 grams of cocaine, 4.84 grams of a Schedule IV controlled substance, two oxycodone pills and $10,435 in cash.

Millsaps, Valadez and Blansett have each been charged in Iredell County with two counts of felony conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. Authorities say additional charges related to the pursuit and narcotics offenses are expected from the Davie County Sheriff’s Office.

Millsaps and Valadez remain in the Davie County Detention Center, while Blansett is being held in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $200,000 bond.

Story: David Cedrone-WHKY