Major Drug and Weapons Bust in Rutherford County

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. — A joint investigation between the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Aggressive Criminal Enforcement (ACE) Team and federal and state agencies has led to major drug and weapons seizures in Forest City following a year of surveillance and controlled purchases, officials confirmed Thursday.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the investigation centered on methamphetamine trafficking and illegal firearm possession by a convicted felon. On the morning of Oct. 8, deputies conducted multiple traffic stops connected to the case, including one on Highway 9 near Lake Lure, where Brian Stephen Hollifield was arrested.

Shortly after, the ACE Team — assisted by the RCSO Criminal Investigations Division, Road Patrol, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) — executed a search warrant at 1278 U.S. Highway 221A in Forest City.

Authorities reported the following items were seized during the search:

• 238.5 grams of methamphetamine

• 36 firearms

• 98.9 grams of marijuana

• Trafficking amounts of oxycodone

• One stolen vehicle from Spartanburg, S.C.

• One stolen trailer

• One stolen firearm

  
  

Hollifield faces multiple felony charges, including trafficking methamphetamine, possession of stolen property, possession of a firearm by a felon, and maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances. He is being held on a $307,500 secured bond.

Betty Lovelace Deal, also of Forest City, was charged with trafficking opium or heroin. Her bond was set at $50,000 secured.

Officials said the results mark a major step in disrupting local drug trafficking networks. “This case is the result of a yearlong effort to combat narcotics and illegal firearms in Rutherford County,” Rutherford County Sheriff Aaron Ellenburg said in a statement. “We remain dedicated to keeping our community safe from crime.”

Residents with information about drug activity, wanted subjects, or related crimes are encouraged to contact the RCSO ACE Team.