Three Arrested When Meth Lab Discovered During Traffic Stop In Lincoln County

LINCOLNTON, N.C. — Three people have been arrested after clandestine methamphetamine lab was discovered during a traffic stop.

Authorities say Robert Gregory Wray, 40; Amanda Dawn Armstrong, 27; and Elizabeth May Buchanan, 27, have all been arrested and charged with manufacturing a controlled substance.  In addition, Wray has been charged with Maintaining a Dwelling for a Controlled Substance, Driving While License Revoked, Fail To Dim High Beam Headlights and Left of Center.

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, on Wednesday morning at about 12:42 a.m., deputies passed a vehicle being driven by Wray on Salem Church Road.

Wray failed to dim the vehicle’s headlights as he passed the officers, who then turned around and witnessed the vehicle cross the center line multiple times.

The Deputies, who described Wray as “nervous” when asked to exit the vehicle, asked for consent to search the vehicle and directed the two female passengers to also exit the vehicle.

Officers discovered a black bag “smoking” and “emitting a strong chemical odor” in the backseat of the vehicle.  The bag was determined to contain three active one pot meth labs in the process of cooking methamphetamine and releasing dangerous gases.

Salem Church Road was shut down and the Lincolnton Fire Department and Lincoln County EMS decontaminated the three suspects.

Wray received a $100,000 secured bond, while Armstrong and Buchanan received $20,000 and $30,000 secured bonds.