As a result of a joint investigation with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, detectives with the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division and SWAT Team conducted a search warrant at 12655 Philadelphia Chruch Road in Stanfield.

Victorino Benitez Arce

During the search warrant, 3,235 grams of cocaine and more than $38,000 was seized from the property. Also seized were multiple firearms.

Victorino Benitez Arce was charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver cocaine, maintaining a dwelling for the sale of a controlled substance, possession of a weapon of mass destruction and drug paraphernalia.

He is in the Stanly County Jail under a secured $1 million bond.

Sheriff’s Office detectives estimated the wholesale value of 3 kilos of cocaine would be $60,000 to $75,000, with a street value of more than $100,000.