On Wednesday morning (Jan. 18th) at approximately 1:30 AM,  deputies with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling along Fairgrove Church Rd after observing that vehicle failing to utilize its headlights.

During the stop a Sheriff’s Office K-9 performed an open air sniff around the vehicle. The K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics inside this vehicle. A search of this vehicle, resulting in the discovery of 133 grams of methamphetamine, 7.6 grams of fentanyl, 4.5 grams of marijuana and assorted drug paraphernalia.

The driver of this vehicle, Robert Joseph Walton, 30, of Conover, was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Trafficking in Opium, Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substances, Maintaining a Vehicle for the Purpose of Manufacturing, Selling or Delivering Controlled Substances, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Expired Driver’s License and Failure to Burn Head Lamps.

Walton was jailed under a $185,000.00 secured bond.