Federal Fugitive Arrested On Drug Charges (WITN-NC)

Federal Fugitive Arrested On Drug Charges
Deputies say the man was living in Morehead City but was in the U.S. illegally.
Posted: 5:29 AM Aug 10, 2010
Reporter: Heather King

Deputies say they've arrested an immigration fugitive who they believe was trafficking drugs into Carteret County.

Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck says 32-year-old Reyniery Alonso Montoya Zapata of North 20th St. in Morehead City is behind bars in Carteret County. Deputies say they arrested Zapata in Cape Carteret Thursday after finding an ounce of cocaine in his car, with the help of Sheriff’s K-9 “Dino." Deputies say they also found several fake forms of identification, including an ID card saying Zapata is a Honduran police officer.

Zapata was charged with 2 counts of Trafficking in Cocaine and Maintaining a Vehicle to Keep or Sell Illegal Substances and No Operators License. His bond was set at $200,000.

Lawmen say ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) has been looking for Zapata, a federal fugitive. After facing the charges filed in Carteret County, ICE begin the process of deporting Zapata.

“This is another success story in our efforts to enforce our state laws and to assist in the identification and apprehension of illegal aliens who are in our country and who choose to break the law” said Sheriff Asa Buck.