Two people arrested following drug bust in North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA — Two people were arrested on Monday, May 26, 2025, after a traffic stop in Boone led to the discovery of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Boone Police Patrol Officers assisted the North Carolina State Highway Patrol with a traffic stop in the parking lot of United Muffler.

During the stop, a deputy from the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and his K-9 were called to the scene. The K-9 alerted officers to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.

A search of the car and its occupants uncovered 52 grams of suspected methamphetamine and items used for packaging and distributing drugs.

Destiny Amber Salmons, 30, and Christopher Wayne Ellison, 36, both of Boone, were arrested.

Salmons was charged with felony trafficking in methamphetamine and felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or distribute methamphetamine. She is being held without bond at the Avery County Detention Center and is scheduled to appear in court on June 30, 2025.

Ellison was charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held at the Watauga County Detention Center under a $1,000 secured bond and also has a court date set for June 30, 2025.

“This serves as an excellent example of the daily cooperation and commitment between city, county and state law enforcement officers to interdict the flow of illicit drugs into our communities,” said Shane Robbins, Assistant Chief of Police.

The Boone Police Department thanked the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for their assistance in the arrests.