IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — An Iredell County traffic stop led to two people facing drug related charges including meth trafficking, according to deputies.
The stop was conducted on a Toyota passenger car for a traffic violation on Salisbury Road on April 13. A deputy was informed by the driver, identified as 41-year-old Brandon Nelson, and the passenger, identified as 32-year-old Ashley Ray, that they were traveling from Moore County to Granite Falls. However, as the stop continued for records checks and criminal database searches, Nelson gave multiple different stories about where they were coming from and the locations they were going to, authorities say.
Deputies gathered enough information necessary to be able to search the vehicle. During the search, 181 grams of methamphetamine, six grams of cocaine, and marijuana were located hidden compartment underneath the hood of the vehicle.
According to a news release, the drugs were packaged in a manner consistent with the sale and distribution of controlled substances.
Iredell County deputies say Nelson and Ray were both arrested and taken to the Iredell County Detention Center where they both were charged with felony trafficking of methamphetamine, felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possession of cocaine, and felony maintaining a vehicle, place, or dwelling for the sale or use of a controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of marijuana, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.