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LINCOLNTON, N.C. – Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics investigators arrested a Vale man on April 9, 2024, following a lengthy drug investigation.

The investigation began in 2023 into illegal drug sales coming from a business known as “Awesome Finds” located in the 700 block of NC Highway 27 West.  The narcotics unit ended the investigation on April 9, 2024 with the arrest of Keith Dwayne Dellinger, 45, of Maw Huffman Road, Vale, NC. 

The investigation began after narcotic’s investigators received citizen complains about illegal drug activity going in and out of the business.  Narcotics officers were able to make purchases of methamphetamine from Dellinger while he was working at the business and after business hours. 

When investigators arrived to arrest Dellinger, more controlled substances were seized from his vehicle.  Dellinger is charged with five counts of sell and deliver methamphetamine, five counts of possession with the intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, three count of maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, one count of felony possession of methamphetamine and one count of drug paraphernalia.

He was taken before a Lincoln County magistrate and placed in the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center without the privilege of bond.

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