One of the men charged in a federal cocaine trafficking case on Aurelian Springs Road pleaded guilty Tuesday to one of the counts a grand jury lodged against him.

Court records show Andrew Richard Rodarte appeared before Magistrate Judge James E. Gates in Raleigh and gave his consent to be arraigned by Gates rather than a district court judge.

Rodarte was the tractor-trailer driver who reportedly delivered 80 kilos of cocaine to a residence on Aurelian Springs Road in July to his co-defendant, Luis Enrrique Arroyo-Jimenez. Authorities also found more than $2 million in cash in his rig.

During the arraignment Rodarte was found competent to proceed and was advised of his rights.

He pleaded guilty to count 2, which charges he and Arroyo-Jimenez aided and abetted each other by possessing with intent to distribute the cocaine.

A memorandum of the plea agreement was conditionally approved by the court and documents show count 1 against Rodarte will be dismissed at sentencing, which is scheduled for the January 6 term of court in Raleigh before District Judge James C. Dever III.

Count 1 charges he and Arroyo-Jimenez intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, agreed and had a tacit understanding with each other and other persons, known and unknown to the grand jury, to knowingly and intentionally distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.

The arraignment for Arroyo-Jimenez was reset for the November 4 term of court before Dever.

According to a criminal complaint, members of the DEA conducted an investigation of suspected drug traffickers in Halifax County.

As part of that operation, investigators observed a mobile home in the 9000 block of Aurelian Springs Road in the Littleton area.

During the operation a semi-truck arrived at the residence. The driver of the vehicle was later identified as Rodarte.

Investigators then observed several individuals exit the residence and approach the vehicle. The individuals then accessed the sleeper compartment of the vehicle and unloaded several large duffel bags which were taken inside the residence. 

Rodarte then left the residence.

Inside each bag were approximately 20 kilograms of cocaine for a total of 80 kilos. The substances were later field tested and the results were positive for cocaine. 

Rodarte, according to the complaint, admitted to transporting the seized cocaine and said he had made at least five similar trips to other locations.

A subsequent search of his vehicle yielded the bulk currency.