A Nebo man is sentenced to at least 18.75 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges in McDowell County.
Marvin Donald Branch II was given a consolidated active sentence of 225-282 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking in methamphetamine.
This sentencing comes after an investigation by the McDowell County Drug Enforcement.
"Detectives had been investigating Branch for illegal drug activities for some time," Sheriff Ricky Buchanan said in a news release.
On April 4, 2020, McDowell County detectives and Marion police say they seized 60 grams of methamphetamine from Branch during a vehicle stop.
Then on December 18, 2020, detectives searched Branch's U.S. 70 East home and seized 522 grams of methamphetamine, 40 grams of heroin, money and several firearms.
"I'm super proud of the men and women that work these particular types of investigations. They spend countless hours combatting these drug trafficking organizations, and I commend them," Sheriff Buchanan said.
Officers with the Marion Police Department, Agents with the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and the McDowell District Attorney's Office assisted in the case.