50 pounds of marijuana found in vacuumed-sealed packs, deputies say

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) — Two men are charged with drug crimes after deputies allegedly found almost 50 pounds of marijuana in a vehicle.

Buncombe County deputies assisted the DWI Task Force Team with a vehicle on Starnes Cove Road that had a “strong odor of marijuana” on Wednesday night. 

Deputies say Arthur Dalton Verde was driving the vehicle and consented to a search.

Marijuana buds were found in his pocket, along with 49.4 pounds of marijuana in 40 vacuumed-sealed packs in the vehicle, deputies say. 

Arthur Dalton Verde, 22, and David Alexander Verde, 19, of Mill Spring, N.C. are charged with felony possession of marijuana, felony trafficking in marijuana and felony maintaining of a vehicle for the use, storage or sale of a controlled substance, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office. 

Both remain in jail under $30,000 bond.