39-year-old Christopher Dean Lunsford of Orchard Street SW in Valdese was arrested Monday (February 27) by Morganton Public Safety Officers. He’s charged with felony counts of trafficking, opium or heroin, possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver schedule II controlled substance and possession of controlled substance on prison or jail premises.

Lunsford is also charged with simple possession of schedule VI controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving while license revoked. A second suspect was arrested in this case and charged with misdemeanor counts.

Shortly before 10 p.m. Monday, a Public Safety Officer conducted a traffic stop of a red 1988 Ford pick-up truck after observing the vehicle traveling approximately 50 miles-per-hour in a 35 mile-per-hour zone. The vehicle was stopped on Salem Road in Morganton. The officer made contact with the occupants of the vehicle and then arrested the two suspects.

According to police reports, 46.5 grams of methamphetamine and less than half-an-ounce of marijuana were seized during the traffic stop. Lunsford was brought to the Burke County Jail under $31,000 secured bond. He was not listed as an inmate in Burke County as of earlier today (March 2). A District Court appearance was scheduled today.