Asheville -- July 30, 2026: A routine regulatory inspection at a West Asheville convenience store has led to the arrest of its owner on multiple felony drug, gun, and assault charges. Julian Agbala, 70, of Asheville, faces a substantial list of allegations after North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) special agents reported discovering evidence of illegal cocaine sales and a stolen firearm at his business, Gas Up, on Haywood Road.
The incident unfolded during an ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control) compliance inspection at the Gas Up convenience store. During this inspection, agents reported finding evidence suggesting illegal cocaine sales within the business. They also determined that Agbala was allegedly in possession of a stolen firearm. Following these discoveries, agents obtained a search warrant for the store.
ALE officials stated that Agbala allegedly assaulted one of the agents while they attempted to detain him. He was subsequently taken into custody and booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility. The charges against him include felony possession of a stolen firearm, felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver cocaine, and assault on a government official.
Additional charges listed by ALE and Buncombe County jail records include resisting a public officer, interfering with an ABC inspection, two counts of allowing unlawful conduct to occur on ABC-licensed premises, failing to maintain a drug paraphernalia log, and possession of liquor with an unauthorized permit. Jail records also list felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, a gambling-related charge, and failing to post an ABC permit.
Following the execution of the search warrant, ALE investigators reported seizing four firearms, cocaine, ammunition, and numerous items of drug paraphernalia from the Haywood Road store. The presence of cocaine and drug paraphernalia is cited by ALE as evidence consistent with sales of cocaine from the business, and one of the seized firearms was allegedly identified as stolen.
Agbala is currently being held on a $115,000 secured bond. The investigation remains ongoing, according to ALE. All charges are allegations, and Agbala is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. No further details regarding his initial court appearance or any indictments were immediately available.
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