ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A man was arrested Friday afternoon in West Asheville on multiple drug trafficking charges after police responded to a trespassing call at a public housing complex, authorities said.
Officers with the Asheville Police Department responded around 3:30 p.m. Feb. 20 to a report of a trespasser at Pisgah View Apartments, according to a department news release.
Police said officers made contact with Brandon Matthew Byford, 37, who is prohibited from properties operated by the Asheville Housing Authority. Byford was charged with second-degree trespass.
During the arrest, officers said they found Byford in possession of what they described as trafficking amounts of narcotics. Authorities reported seizing approximately 45.41 grams of fentanyl and 11.65 grams of methamphetamine.
Byford is charged with felony trafficking in fentanyl; felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver fentanyl; felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine; felony manufacture, sell, deliver or possess a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school; possession of drug paraphernalia; second-degree trespass; and resisting a public officer.
He was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under no bond and is ineligible for release, according to police.
Anyone with information about illegal drug activity is asked to contact the Asheville Police Department at 828-252-1110. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the TIP2APD smartphone application or by texting TIP2APD to 847411.
