Asheville -- July 13, 2026: Three people were arrested Sunday evening after Asheville Police Department officers conducting proactive enforcement in west Asheville seized more than 22 grams of fentanyl during a traffic stop.
According to police, officers observed a vehicle operating without proper lighting near the 100 block of Stewart Street at approximately 8:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 12. During the stop, officers determined that all three occupants were in possession of fentanyl. Investigators said one of the occupants was allegedly carrying a trafficking amount of the drug.
Officers seized:
22.2 grams of fentanyl
0.25 grams of methamphetamine
2.8 grams of marijuana
All three occupants were taken into custody without incident.
Tanyjae Ray Whitson, 23, was charged with:
Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver Fentanyl
Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, or Possess a Controlled Substance Within 1,000 Feet of a School
Trafficking in Fentanyl
Possession of Fentanyl
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Possession of Marijuana Up to One-Half Ounce
Whitson was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility and is being held without bond, making the defendant ineligible for release under the magistrate's order.
Alan Lee Hopper, 39, was charged with:
Possession of Fentanyl
Possession of Methamphetamine
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Hopper was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $15,000 secured bond.
Sarah Elizabeth Bennett, 29, was charged with:
Possession of Fentanyl
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Bennett was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $12,000 secured bond.
The Asheville Police Department asks anyone with information about illegal drug activity to contact the department at (828) 252-1110. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the TIP2APD smartphone application by searching "Asheville PD" in your device's app store or by texting TIP2APD to 847411.
Editor's Note: Criminal charges are allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.