GASTON — Two arrests have been made after six kilos, approximately 13 pounds, of cocaine were discovered here, according to the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO).

NCSO Sgt. Lynnette Clements said law enforcement officers acted on a tip in reference to a large amount of drugs coming into the county.

On Monday at approximately 7 p.m. officers initiated a stop on two vehicles at the intersection of N.C. 46 and N.C. 48 in Gaston.

Clements said the vehicles stopped were a white Toyota Camry driven by Moises Aquirre, 27, and a champagne-colored Suburban driven by Daniel Rios, 27.

NCSO Deputy Jason Chandler with K-9 Officer Blist along with John Taylor and Joe Puhak with Roanoke Rapids Interstate Interdiction Team and Gaston Police Officer Thomas Staton searched the vehicles for drugs.

Clements said two kilos of cocaine were found in hidden compartments inside the Toyota.

A search was also conducted on a residence on Herman Trail in Gaston, allegedly where the suspects were living.

Clements said at that residence NCSO Deputies Jason Boone and John Turner found four to four and one half kilos of cocaine in the attic along with a kilo press (believed to be used to make bricks of cocaine) and an undisclosed large amount of cash.

Both Rios and Aquirre were taken into custody and each charged with three counts of trafficking cocaine, two counts of possession with the intent to manufacture, sell and deliver cocaine and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance/cocaine.

Clements said because Aquirre was the driver of the Toyota in which the first two kilos were found he was charged additionally with maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance.

The suspects were placed in the Northampton County Jail, each on a $500,000 cash bond. Their first appearance in court is scheduled for today (Thursday).

Clements said Rios was served a warrant on Tuesday from a law enforcement agency in another county for conspiracy trafficking cocaine. Rios’ bond was preset for that charge at $1 million.