Earlier this week, Union County Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives seized over 50 lbs. of illegal narcotics as part of an ongoing narcotics production and trafficking investigation. The investigation leading to this large-scale seizure began in early August of 2022 when narcotics detectives identified a home in the 1600 block of Tom Boyd Rd. in Monroe, NC as a potential source of methamphetamine production. Over the next several weeks, narcotics detectives continued to gather evidence and investigate all those involved with this trafficking network which ultimately led to a traffic stop in the area of U.S. 601 North and Lawyers Road. During the traffic stop, UCSO K-9 “Yago” demonstrated a positive alert on the suspect’s vehicle indicating the presence of narcotics inside. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded the discovery and seizure of approximately 26 pounds of methamphetamine and the arrests of the vehicle’s occupants identified as 30-year-old Adrian Trujillo and 27-year-old Javier Mata (criminal charges and bond amount listed below). 

Based on the evidence gathered over the entire six-week investigation including the traffic stop mentioned above, narcotics detectives then conducted a search warrant at the residence on Tom Boyd Rd. which was also home to both Mata and Trujillo. During the search warrant, narcotics detectives discovered a methamphetamine conversion laboratory along with an additional 23 lbs. of methamphetamine in both crystal and liquid form. Other items of evidence seized during the search include multiple pounds of marijuana and an AR-15 rifle. With the assistance of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations, the methamphetamine conversion lab was safely dismantled and is no longer a danger to residents. 

Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey states “This large-scale narcotics seizure is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our narcotics detectives. The Union County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to identifying and arresting those who attempt to produce and traffic deadly narcotics within our community. I would like to thank the NCSBI for their assistance in this investigation which helped ensure the safety of the local community while this lab was being dismantled and evidence was collected.” 

Charges and Bond Information 

Javier Mata:
- Two counts of Felony Trafficking in Methamphetamine
- Received a secured bond of $750,000
- Remains in custody at this time 

Adrian Trujillo
- Four counts of Felony Trafficking Methamphetamine
- Two counts of Felony Maintaining Vehicle/Dwelling/Place CS
- Received a secured bond of 1.75 million dollars
- Remains in custody at this time 

Point of contact for this press release is Lt. James Maye (704)506-6843