Murphy – A K-9 unit helped seize drugs, guns and money from an area man who has been the subject of an ongoing investigation into the fentanyl crisis plaguing Cherokee and surrounding counties.
Detectives from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Aug. 9 with a vehicle belonging to Bruce Oliver of Clay County. During the traffic stop, K-9 Ragnar made a positive alert on the vehicle for the presence of narcotics.
According to a release, Oliver was found to be in possession of 84.6 grams of methamphetamine and 26.5 grams of fentanyl, along with several prescription narcotics and a handgun.
Based on their investigation, detectives authorized a search warrant for a storage unit belonging to Oliver in Peachtree. That’s where they subsequently found 48 grams of fentanyl and three additional firearms, along with $7,000 in cash.
Oliver is charged with high-level trafficking in opioids, mid-level trafficking in opioids, low-level trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of schedule IV controlled substance, possession of schedule II controlled substance, maintaining vehicle for controlled substance and four counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Oliver is being held in the Cherokee County Detention Center on a $250,000 secured bond.
“The results of this traffic stop and subsequent search warrant are the fruits of hard work and a diligent investigation by our office’s narcotics investigators,” Chief Deputy Chris Wood said in the release. “We continually receive information from members of the public, and this information does not fall on deaf ears.
“I personally thank each person who played a part in this arrest, which will make a substantial effect on our efforts to rid our county of illegal drug activity.”
To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law, call 828-837-1344 or email a tip to crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.