LINCOLNTON, N.C. – The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Narcotic’s Division arrested two people on drug charges in separate incidents.

On November 2, 2022 narcotics investigators arrested a South Laurel Street, Lincolnton, NC man on narcotics charges. Officers conducted a lengthy investigation using surveillance and other investigative techniques. Using that information officers applied for and received a search warrant for the residence at 328 South Laurel Street.

After making entry into the residence, investigators discovered and seized two pounds of marijuana and four and a half pounds of THC edibles. They also seized $7,620 in U. S. currency. Jonathan Micheal Boggs, 51, was charged with two felony counts each of possession of a controlled substance Schedule VI and possession with the intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a controlled substance Schedule VI. He was also charged with one count of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance. Boggs was taken before a Lincoln County magistrate and placed in the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under a $30,000 secured bond.

In a separate incident on November 9, 2022, operating on a tip narcotics investigators stopped a vehicle on the Startown Road in Lincoln County because of a motor vehicle violation. During the stop Lincolnton Police Department K-9 was requested to come to the traffic stop location to assist with the investigation. The K-9 conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle and alerted to drugs in the vehicle. When the K-9 alerted to the drugs, the driver of the vehicle threw two pounds of methamphetamine out the passenger side window. The suspect then tried to dispose of two more pounds of methamphetamine by pouring it over the inside of the vehicle. Narcotics officers were able to recover the four pounds of meth, with a street value of approximately $20,000, from the vehicle and a nearby field.

Matthew Paul Starnes, 37, of Hickory, NC was charged with three felony counts of trafficking methamphetamine. He is being held in the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under a $500,000 secured bond.

Most drug related investigations begin with tips or complaint from citizens. Detectives then begin using various tools and investigation methods to build a case. Anyone with information concerning drug related activity is urged to call the Drug Tip Line at 704-736-8606, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 704-732-9050, the Lincoln County Communications Center at 704-735-8202 or Lincolnton/Lincoln County CrimeStoppers at 704-736-8909. All tips are investigated and callers can remain anonymous.