Two N.C. suspects arrested in Newberry County for trafficking drugs

Two North Carolina suspects were taken into custody Thursday for suspected drug trafficking, according to officials with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Lee Foster said 27-year-old Stephen Taylor, of Deep Run, N.C., and 22-year-old Bridgette Clark, of La Grange, N.C., have been charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Taylor is also charged with unlawful possession of a weapon.

Foster said a deputy was patrolling S.C. 34 near I-26, because of recent thefts in the area, when he noticed a suspicious vehicle parked near a restaurant. According to the deputy, Foster said the driver of the vehicle was exiting the vehicle in an erratic manner and acting suspicious.

After the driver moved the vehicle just feet away from its initial location, Foster said the deputy conducted an investigatory stop, which is when the driver exited the vehicle and moved toward the deputy in “an aggressive manner.”

The deputy detained the driver and could detect a strong smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The deputy also saw a handgun in the the pocket of the driver-side door, Foster said.

The deputy took possession of the handgun and gathered information from the detained driver and the vehicle’s second occupants. After further investigation, the deputy discovered marijuana, cocaine, pills, methamphetamine and over $4,000 in cash.

Both Taylor and Clark were transported to the Newberry County Detention Center where they were released on bond, Foster said.