A traffic stop of suspected shoplifters leads to a major drug bust. Three Caldwell County residents face multiple charges by Morganton Public Safety after a traffic stop earlier this week turned up stolen merchandise and illegal drugs. As officers stopped the suspect vehicle leaving the Morganton Heights Shopping Center, one of the suspects admitted to stealing a pair of tennis shoes from Wal-Mart; while other stolen items were discovered following a consent search. Reports state a duffel bag containing 77 grams of methamphetamine individually packaged for sale, two pipes, baggies, a spoon with burnt residue, and a used needle and syringe were also found. A Burke County Narcotics Task Force member seized the drugs at the scene; while Burke County Social Services took custody of a child at the incident. 30-year-old Garry Dean Sanders was charged with trafficking meth, 38-year-old Sue Ann Chambers was charged with trafficking meth, larceny, and transfer of price tags, while Billy Clay Everhart faces charges of trafficking meth, and larceny. Sanders' bond was set at $45,000; while Chambers' and Everharts' were set at $26,000 each. Investigators say Sanders was released from jail on previous drug charges just four days prior to his current arrest.

180 marijuana plants have been seized in McDowell County. The McDowell County Sheriff's Office along with the Marion Police Department, SBI, the McDowell County Rescue Squad and a State Highway Patrol helicopter located the plants in woods between the Catawba River and Mount Hebron Road in Old Fort. Lieutenant Chris Taylor of the Sheriff's Office stated that they are following leads and the investigation is continuing. Anyone with information should call the McDowell County Sheriff's Office at 652-2237 or Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME, 652-7463.