Boone man arrested on drug trafficking charges after joint local law enforement operation

A 44-year-old Boone man faces multiple drug trafficking charges after authorities seized methamphetamine, fentanyl and other controlled substances during a traffic stop and subsequent residence search.

Justin Hal Hodgson was arrested Sept. 16 following a joint operation between the Watauga County Sheriff's Office and Boone Police Department special operations divisions.

The arrest began with a traffic stop around 11:30 p.m. Sept. 16. A police K-9 alerted on the vehicle, leading to the discovery of 464 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 31 grams of fentanyl and $646 in cash, according to authorities.

Information from the traffic stop led to a search warrant for Hodgson's residence on Ivy Drive in Boone. The early morning search on Sept. 17 yielded an additional 60 grams of methamphetamine, 80 grams of THC wax and $200 in currency.

Authorities estimated the combined street value of the seized drugs at $31,750, based on North Carolina state drug guidelines.

Hodgson was charged with multiple offenses including trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking opium, trafficking marijuana and maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances. He is being held at the Watauga County Detention Center on $400,000 secured bond.

Hodgson was taken to the Watauga County Magistrates Office and served warrants for the following: 

Maintain a Vehicle/Dwell/Place CS NCGS 90-108(A)(7)

Trafficking Methamphetamine x2 NCGS 90-95 (H)(3B)

Trafficking Opium x2 NCGS 90-95 (H)(4)

Maintain a Dwelling CS NCGS 90-108(A)(7)

Trafficking Marijuana NCGS 90-95 (H)(1)

Trafficking Methamphetamine NCGS 90-95 (H)(3B)

Simple Possession of Schedule III CS NCGS 90-95(D)(2)

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia NCGS 90-113.22