ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Asheville Police Department arrested three people on fentanyl-related charges this weekend in West Asheville.
During a proactive enforcement patrol in West Asheville, APD officers noticed a vehicle without proper lighting around 8:59 p.m., Sunday, July 12, near the 100 block of Stewart Street.
After a traffic stop, Alan Lee Hopper, 39, Sarah Elizabeth Bennett, 29, and Tanyjae Ray Whitson, 23, were each found to be in possession of fentanyl, with Whitson found to be in possession of a trafficking amount. Over 22 grams of the drug were seized during the arrest.
Hopper, Bennett and Whitson were taken into custody without incident.
Drugs seized
- 22.2 grams of fentanyl
- 0.25 grams of methamphetamine
- 2.8 grams of marijuana
Charges given
Whitson was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under no bond and charged with:
- Felony possession with intent to manufacture sell deliver fentanyl
- Felony manufacture sell deliver possess controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school
- Felony trafficking in fentanyl
- Felony possession of fentanyl
- Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia
- Misdemeanor possession of marijuana up to .5 ounce
Hopper was booked into the BCDF under a $15,000 secured bond and charged with:
- Felony possession of fentanyl
- Felony possession of methamphetamine
- Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia
Bennett was booked into the BCDF under a $12,000 secured bond and charged with:
- Felony possession of fentanyl
- Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia
“If you have any information about illegal drug activity, please contact APD at (828) 252-1110,” APD said. “You can also send an anonymous tip using the TIP2APD smartphone application (search “Asheville PD” in your app store) or by texting TIP2APD to 847411.”
