LINCOLNTON, N.C. - An investigation into the sale of the illegal drug Fentanyl has led to the arrest of two Lincoln County men.

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office narcotics investigators began the investigation and were able to identify the two men as suppliers of the illegal drug. Lincoln County Sheriff's Office narcotics investigators and Cleveland County narcotics officers formed a joint operation that led to undercover purchases of Fentanyl from the suspects.

On May 3, 2022 officers from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and Cleveland County Sheriff's Office narcotics units, the LCSO Swat Team and NC Probation and Parole executed a buy/bust operation that led to the arrests of Quinton Payne Palmer Whitesides, 24, of Colonial Village Drive, Lincolnton, NC and Dale Austin Turnmire, 23, of Denver, NC. During the operation officers seized 56 grams of Fentanyl with a street value of $10,000.

Whitesides is charged with 8 counts of trafficking Schedule I controlled substance Fentanyl, conspiracy to traffick Fentanyl, 2 counts of possession with the intent to sell and deliver Fentanyl, 2 counts of probation violation and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance. Whitesides was placed in the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under a $350,000 secured bond.

Turnmire is charged with 5 counts of trafficking Fentanyl, conspiracy to traffick Fentanyl, possession with the intent to sell and deliver Fentanyl, and maintaining a dwelling for a Schedule I controlled substance Fentany. He was jailed under a $215,000 secured bond.