A month-long investigation came to a close Friday when local authorities apprehended three men in connection with a local drug ring.

Members of the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office ICE Unit, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Granite Falls Police Department took Jose Alberto Flores, Benny Dale Laney Jr. and Jose Manuel Flores into custody after completing a search warrant at the home of Jose Alberto Flores. Each man faces a variety of drug charges and is confined to the Caldwell County Detention Center.

Jose Alberto Flores, 26, of 4471 Sawmills School Road, Granite Falls, was charged with felony possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and felony maintaining a dwelling to keep/store a controlled substance. Jose Alberto Flores, who became the focus of the investigation, also was served with a warrant for felony probation violation for second-degree burglary and possession with intent to sell/deliver a schedule six substance from authorities in Columbia, S.C.

Jose Alberto Flores received a $20,000 secured bond for the drug charges and is being held without bond for the charges stemming from South Carolina. He made his first appearance in Caldwell County District Court Monday.

Laney, 19, of 2615 Piper Lane, Lenoir, was charged with felony possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana and felony maintaining a vehicle to keep/store a controlled substance. Reports show that officers caught Laney leaving the residence of Jose Alberto Flores with one pound of marijuana. He is being held under a $9,000 secured bond and appeared in court Monday.

The third individual, Jose Manuel Flores, 34, of Conover, was charged with simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was taken into custody when officers found him inside the home of Jose Alberto Flores and he was placed under a $1,500 secured bond. Jose Manuel Flores is expected to make his first appearance on Thursday, Feb. 18.

According to reports, local authorities were conducting surveillance of the Sawmills School Road residence when they captured Laney. Shortly after, members of the Sheriff’s Office S.W.A.T. team executed a search warrant, and took Jose Alberto Flores and Jose Manuel Flores into custody without incident.

Officers seized more than 2 pounds of marijuana and $400 in cash during the search. Reports show that the marijuana has a street value of approximately $6,000.