ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A routine alcohol compliance inspection at a West Asheville convenience store led to drug and weapons charges against the store’s owner after investigators said they uncovered evidence of cocaine sales and recovered multiple firearms.
According to the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division, special agents were conducting an ABC inspection at the Gas Up convenience store on Haywood Road when they found evidence of cocaine sales and discovered that the owner, 70-year-old Julian Agbala of Asheville, was allegedly in possession of a stolen firearm.
Agents obtained a search warrant for the business and said Agbala assaulted one of the agents when they attempted to detain him before he was taken into custody.
During the search, investigators said they seized four firearms, cocaine, ammunition and numerous items of drug paraphernalia.
Agbala was charged with:
- Felony possession of a stolen firearm
- Felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver cocaine
- Assault on a government official
- Resisting a public officer
- Interfering with an ABC inspection
- Two counts of allowing unlawful conduct to occur on ABC-licensed premises
- Failing to maintain a drug paraphernalia log
- Possession of liquor with an unauthorized permit
According to the Buncombe County Detention Facility booking records, Agbala also faces additional charges of felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, gambling and failing to post an ABC permit.
Jail records show Agbala was being held Thursday on a $115,000 secured bond.
The investigation remains ongoing, according to ALE.
No additional details about the investigation or Agbala’s court appearance were immediately released. All charges are allegations, and Agbala is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.