News

Buncombe deputies seize fentanyl, meth in Arden drug bust

Buncombe deputies seize fentanyl, meth in Arden drug bust

Alexander Brooks Rowell Photo: Contributed/Buncombe County Sheriff's Office


ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County sheriff’s deputies seized fentanyl, methamphetamine, prescription drugs and other controlled substances during a July 29 operation in Arden, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives and patrol deputies with the Sheriff’s Office’s Community Oriented Problem Solving, or COPS, Team found about 18.8 grams of fentanyl, 189.18 grams of methamphetamine, 12.10 grams of a Schedule III controlled substance, 195 dosage units of prescription drugs and drug paraphernalia in a vehicle at 975 Glen Bridge Road, the sheriff’s office said.

Alexander Brooks Rowell was arrested and faces multiple felony and misdemeanor drug charges, including trafficking in fentanyl, methamphetamine and opium or heroin; possession with intent to sell or deliver controlled substances; maintaining a vehicle or property for controlled-substance activity; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Rowell also faces misdemeanor charges of simple possession of Schedule II and Schedule IV controlled substances, according to the sheriff’s office.

He was being held without bond, the sheriff’s office said.

District 2 Capt. Chris Stockton credited the COPS Team with focusing on specific problems in the community.

“We appreciate the dedication and vigilance of the deputies who worked to locate and seize these dangerous substances, removing these amounts from the community,” Stockton said.

Stockton said the team allows deputies to focus on specific community problems and credited them with making an impact through operations such as the July 29 drug seizure.

Recent Headlines

8 hours ago in Entertainment

Meet the 2026 ‘Dancing With the Stars’ cast

The newest cast competing for the Mirrorball Trophy on "Dancing With the Stars" was unveiled Wednesday, featuring the usual complement of entertainers, reality stars and athletes ranging from gold medalists to a Savannah Bananas player.

15 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Tiger Woods pleads no contest to reckless driving charge over rollover crash in Florida

Tiger Woods pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge Wednesday following a rollover crash in March near his home in Florida where he initially was accused of driving under the influence.

15 hours ago in Entertainment

Ariana Grande steps out of the spotlight with gratitude at tour closing

Ariana Grande's final words, before she stepped offstage and out of the spotlight, were for her fans. Addressing the crowd during her last concert in London Tuesday before she takes a break from the public eye, the singer was full of emotion and gratitude.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Amid backlash, museum cancels planned Met Gala exhibit on fashion designer John Galliano

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is canceling its planned exhibit honoring British designer John Galliano — plans that had led to bitter backlash from the Jewish community and beyond because of the designer's past antisemitic and racist statements.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

Jury convicts a man of first-degree murder for the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur

A jury found Duane "Keffe D" Davis guilty of orchestrating the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur, finally bringing a measure of resolution to a case that had gripped hip-hop fans and lingered in the public imagination for decades.