YADKIN COUNTY – Federal, state, and local authorities said they'll use the $401,880 they seized from 36-year-old Alejandro Alvardo in a drug bust to continue the war on drugs.



Investigators said Alvardo is an illegal immigrant and leader of a drug operation based in Mexico.



Now authorities said they’ll split the money because of the teamwork that helped crack the case.



"We worked together on this case to make this thing happen," Yadkinville Police Department Chief Tim Parks said.



Alvardo’s U.S. base of operation was in Yadkinville, where he was arrested with not only $2 million in cocaine and methamphetamines, but also 3 SUVs, a Honda van, and a Nissan truck.We would consider this an international smuggling organization that had ties to both Mexico and to North Carolina," U.S. Customs and Enforcement Special Agent-in-Charge Delburt Richburg said.



Alvardo was arrested during a traffic stop in Iredell County when authorities discovered hidden compartments in the vehicles used to store drugs.



"Probably coming and going [along the east coast] for months at a time, transporting money and drugs," Richburg said.



The case began at a Days Inn motel in Yadkinville. ICE officials said it was one of Alvardo's hideouts.



"The money seized will now go right back to law enforcement," Richburg said.


More than $100,000 will go to ICE and the SBI each. Just over $80,000 each will go to Yadkin Sheriff's and Yadkinville PD, and around $20,000 each to the Iredell and Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.



"To combat drugs, to purchase equipment, different things like, it's used as a budget enhancement," Capt. Jimmy Craven of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office said.



Investigators arrested Alvardo several months ago but didn't release information until Thursday. He is already serving a seven year sentence for the crime. They said once he serves his term here he will sent back to Mexico.

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