ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County sheriff’s deputies seized fentanyl, methamphetamine, prescription drugs and other controlled substances during a July 29 operation in Arden, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives and patrol deputies with the Sheriff’s Office’s Community Oriented Problem Solving, or COPS, Team found about 18.8 grams of fentanyl, 189.18 grams of methamphetamine, 12.10 grams of a Schedule III controlled substance, 195 dosage units of prescription drugs and drug paraphernalia in a vehicle at 975 Glen Bridge Road, the sheriff’s office said.
Alexander Brooks Rowell was arrested and faces multiple felony and misdemeanor drug charges, including trafficking in fentanyl, methamphetamine and opium or heroin; possession with intent to sell or deliver controlled substances; maintaining a vehicle or property for controlled-substance activity; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Rowell also faces misdemeanor charges of simple possession of Schedule II and Schedule IV controlled substances, according to the sheriff’s office.
He was being held without bond, the sheriff’s office said.
District 2 Capt. Chris Stockton credited the COPS Team with focusing on specific problems in the community.
“We appreciate the dedication and vigilance of the deputies who worked to locate and seize these dangerous substances, removing these amounts from the community,” Stockton said.
Stockton said the team allows deputies to focus on specific community problems and credited them with making an impact through operations such as the July 29 drug seizure.