Suspicious Vehicle Search Leads To Trafficking Amount Of Heroin In Catawba County

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — A suspect has been arrested after an investigation into a suspicious vehicle led to finding a trafficking amount of heroin in Catawba County Friday, according to deputies.

A Catawba County deputy noticed a vehicle stopped in a parking lot of a closed business along Section House Road around 12 a.m. Th deputy then made contact with that vehicle’s driver and inquired why they were at that location at that time of night.

While talking to the driver, later identified as Tate Blanton, the deputy observed drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. Blanton was then detained and a search of the vehicle was conducted.

The search resulted in the discovery of 37 grams of heroin, 1 gram of methamphetamine and .9 grams of marijuana, according to deputies.

Blanton was arrested and has been charged with trafficking in heroin, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver schedule II controlled substances, maintaining a vehicle for the purposes of manufacturing, selling or delivering controlled substances and possession of marijuana, Catawba County officials said.

“Our Patrol Division is consistently checking our businesses, churches and schools for anything that appears out of place. Great work by this deputy. Our county is safer through the proactive work of our deputies who are fighting to keep drugs and those who sell them off our streets,” Catawba County Sheriff Donald Brown said.