Two Men Charged With Trafficking Methamphetamine In Lenoir

LENOIR, N.C. — Two men have been charged with trafficking methamphetamine following a traffic stop in Lenoir, North Carolina.

On April 27th, 2019, a Lenoir Police officer stopped a white 2002 Mitsubishi passenger car being driven by 36-year-old Justin Ryan Crane after the officer witnessed Crane’s vehicle run a red light at the intersection of Harper Avenue and Fairview Drive.

The vehicle stopped at West Lenoir Baptist Church on Abbington Road.  A police K-9 was taken around the perimeter of the vehicle and gave a positive indication for the presence of narcotics.

Officers subsequently searched the vehicle and discovered a plastic shopping bag shoved inside the steering column.  The bag contained 144.7 grams of methamphetamine, 2.6 grams of marijuana, a glass smoking pipe, tow dosages of Alprazolam, and digital scales.

The drugs have a street value of $21,735, according to North Carolina state guidelines.

Justin Crane and the vehicle’s passenger, Phillip Bentley, were each charged with one count of Felony Trafficking in Methamphetamine and given $100,000 secured bonds.