On December 4th, Agents with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Illegal Gun Reduction and Narcotics Task Force (IGRANT), Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), and Deputies with the BCSO Enforcement Bureau executed a search warrant at a residence located at 2 Dock Branch Road in Barnardsville.
The operation was initiated following an investigation into a community complaint received by IGRANT concerning the alleged sale of illegal narcotics from the residence.
During the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement successfully seized significant contraband, including two firearms, a trafficking quantity of fentanyl, and other illegal items.
The investigative efforts resulted in the following evidence being seized:
As a result of the investigative efforts, the following evidence was seized:
• 12 Gauge Shotgun
• 9mm Handgun
• 6.7 grams of Fentanyl
• 9.1 grams of Methamphetamine
• 11 Dosage Units of Miscellaneous Pills
• 22 Suboxone Films
• 1.3 grams of Marijuana
• $1790.00 in US Currency
As a result of this investigation, Nicholas Herman Lunsford, of Barnardsville, was charged by IGRANT Agents with the following offenses:
-Trafficking in Opium/Heroin (Fentanyl) by Possession (Level I)
-Possession of Firearm by Felon
-Possession with Intent to Manufacture Sell/Deliver Methamphetamine
-Possession with Intent to Manufacture Sell/Deliver Schedule II
-Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling for Controlled Substance
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
In addition, Tina Elaine Brigman, of Barnardsville, was also charged by IGRANT Agents with the following offenses:
-Possession with Intent to Manufacture Sell/Deliver Methamphetamine
-Possession of Schedule II
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
WNCTimes
Editor's Note: A criminal charge is an accusation, by law, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven in a court of law.