LENOIR, NC (April 30, 2019) — On April 27th, 2019 at 2:25 am, an officer with the Lenoir Police Department observed a white 2002 Mitsubishi passenger car run the red light at the intersection of Harper Avenue and Fairview Drive. The officer conducted a traffic stop and the vehicle stopped at West Lenoir Baptist Church located at 311Abington Road. Police K-9 was taken around the vehicle. The K-9’s handler reported that the dog gave a positive indication for the presence of the odor for narcotics.
The vehicle was searched, and a large amount of Methamphetamine was found inside a plastic shopping bag that had been shoved up under the steering column of the vehicle. This bag also contained 2.6 grams of Marijuana, a glass smoking pipe, 2 dosage units of Alprazolam, and digital scales. The amount of Methamphetamine found weighed 144.7 grams. According to North Carolina State guidelines, the seized drugs were valued at $21,735.00.
The driver of the vehicle, Justin Crane, and the passenger, Phillip Bentley, were arrested and charged with 1 count of Felony Trafficking in Methamphetamine. Both subjects received a $100,000.00 secured bond. Their initial court date was set for 04-29-2019 at the Caldwell County Court House. There will be more charges forthcoming for these two in the near future.