MONROE, N.C. — Deputies say a traffic stop led to the arrest of a known drug offender.
Investigators say a deputy observed Michael Westmoreland, 51, speeding and texting and driving. The deputy pulled Westmoreland over in the hospital parking lot.
The deputy claims that Westmoreland appeared to be extremely nervous and did not have his driver’s license, registration or proof of insurance.
Investigators say the deputy determined Westmoreland had an extensive drug arrest record and requested the K9 unit to respond to the scene.
After the K9 positively alerted on the vehicle, deputies say they searched the truck and found meth, drug paraphernalia and marijuana.
Westmoreland was arrested and placed in the Union County Jail under a $50,000 bond. He has been charged with:
Trafficking in methamphetamines
Two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia
Possession of marijuana
Exceeding the posted speed limit
No insurance
Failing to register vehicle
Expired inspection
Texting and driving
Failure to carry driver’s license
Deputies say Westmoreland was arrested in June 2016 in Union County for similar drug trafficking charges. He was in the Union County Jail until September 2016 and was out of jail on bond at the time of his most recent arrest. At the time Westmoreland was arrested in June, 2016, he was out of jail on bond from a December 2015 drug arrest, according to investigators.
