Caldwell drug suspect could be deported

By Steve Lyttle


Posted: Tuesday, May. 03, 2011



Caldwell County authorities say a man they arrested Sunday on drug charges after a two-month search is in the country illegally and faces deportation when his case is decided.

Meanwhile, deputies with the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office say they arrested a man for excessive purchases of pseudoephedrine.

Deputies say Genaro Emmanuel Mendoza-Picazo, 29, of Lenoir, during a traffic stop Sunday by Hudson police. They say the county's drug unit and Lenoir police have been searching for Mendoza-Picazo since an undercover drug operation Feb. 25.

Sheriff Alan Jones said his office has contacted the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement division and plans to seek deportation of the suspect when his case has been decided.

Mendoza-Picazo has been charged with one felony count each of possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine; selling cocaine; delivering cocaine; and maintaining a vehicle or dwelling to keep or store a controlled substance.

The other arrest was of Derrick Joshua Day, 30, of Hudson. Deputies say his name appeared frequently on pharmacy records for purchase of pseudoephedrine. That substance, found in cold and allergy medications, can be used to produce methamphetamine. Day was charged with exceeding pseudoephedrine limits.

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