Union County, NC – A Lyft passenger with outstanding warrants was taken into custody last week after a traffic stop on U.S. 74 uncovered more than 34 grams of fentanyl, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office. The stop occurred after deputies with the SAFE Unit noticed a Kia traveling with only a third brake light functioning.
According to investigators, deputies approached the vehicle and saw that a back-seat passenger was not wearing a seatbelt. When they asked for identification, the man allegedly provided a false name. Deputies used a fingerprint scanner and identified him as a Charlotte resident with two outstanding Union County warrants for trafficking opium or heroin.
Deputies say that once the passenger was detained, the Lyft driver consented to a vehicle search. Inside the back-seat passenger door pocket—where the man had been sitting—deputies allegedly found 34.83 grams of fentanyl.
The sheriff’s office reported that the suspect was transported to the Union County Detention Center by the SHIELD Unit. In addition to the two outstanding warrants, he was charged with two additional counts of trafficking opium or heroin.
According to officials, the man later appeared before a judicial official and received a $70,000 bond. He is currently being held at the Union County Detention Center.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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