Newton, NC – The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division has announced one of the region’s largest drug busts to date, resulting in the seizure of nearly $900,000 worth of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl. Two men have been arrested following a months-long investigation that began in February 2025.
The Investigation: Operation Targeting Catawba Valley Drug Traffickers
According to the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, narcotics agents launched an undercover investigation earlier this year targeting suspected traffickers operating in the Catawba Valley area. A task force officer with the department reportedly carried out several controlled drug purchases, which led to the opening of a federal investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
The investigation culminated on October 23, when federal agents executed a search warrant at a residence in Granite Falls, North Carolina. Authorities say the search uncovered a large cache of narcotics, cash, and evidence connected to an extensive trafficking operation.
Seized Drugs and Assets: Nearly $900K in Illegal Substances and Cash
During the operation, law enforcement officers confiscated a massive haul of drugs and money, including:
- 60.6 kilograms of methamphetamine (estimated street value: $454,500)
- 12.7 kilograms of cocaine (estimated street value: $429,100)
- 1.3 kilograms of fentanyl (estimated street value: $39,000)
- $377,981 in U.S. currency
Authorities estimate the total value of the drugs seized to be approximately $922,600, marking it as one of the most significant busts in the county’s history.
Sheriff officials credited the success of the operation to joint efforts between federal and local narcotics units, noting that the cooperation between agencies was crucial in dismantling the network responsible for distributing large quantities of illegal substances throughout the region.
Arrests and Charges: Two Suspects in Custody
Following the execution of the search warrant, officers arrested Kenneth Travis and Oderia Dante Glaspy in connection with the trafficking operation.
Kenneth Travis
- Charges:
- One count of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine
- Seven counts of trafficking in methamphetamine
- Two counts of maintaining a dwelling/vehicle for the purpose of manufacturing, selling, or delivering controlled substances
- Bond: $1.2 million secured bond
- Detention: Currently held at the Catawba County Detention Facility
- Court Date: Scheduled for November 13
Oderia Dante Glaspy
- Residence: Hickory, NC
- Charges:
- One count of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine
- Two counts of trafficking in methamphetamine
- One count of maintaining a dwelling/vehicle for drug distribution
- Bond: $450,000 secured bond
- Detention: Held at the Catawba County Detention Facility
- Court Date: November 13
Officials confirmed that additional state charges and federal indictments are pending as the investigation continues.
Law Enforcement Response and Community Impact
Law enforcement leaders emphasized that this operation represents a major step in reducing drug-related violence and overdoses in western North Carolina.
“This case demonstrates the effectiveness of strong interagency cooperation,” said a Sheriff’s Office spokesperson. “By working closely with our federal partners, we were able to disrupt a significant drug trafficking pipeline that has been poisoning our communities.”
Authorities noted that the presence of fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid, in the seized drugs underscores the growing dangers posed by traffickers mixing potent substances into street narcotics.
Background and Ongoing Developments
The Catawba Valley region has seen a steady rise in drug trafficking activity in recent years, with law enforcement increasingly focusing on organized networks distributing methamphetamine, cocaine, and opioids.
Federal agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), are assisting in the ongoing investigation. Officials expect more arrests and indictments as evidence from the Granite Falls raid is processed.
Conclusion
With nearly $900,000 in illegal drugs seized and two major suspects in custody, law enforcement officials say the latest bust delivers a powerful blow to narcotics operations in Catawba County. As the case moves forward, both state and federal prosecutors are expected to pursue severe penalties for those involved in the trafficking network.
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