Catawba County Sheriff’s Office: Press Release
Newton, N.C. – On Sunday, August 12th, 2024, at approximately 12:18 am, deputies with the Catawba County
Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling along Conover Boulevard West.
During that time, a Sheriff’s Office K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. Deputies
ultimately located and seized 171 grams of methamphetamine along with drug paraphernalia from the vehicle.
Ryan Lewis Craig, the vehicle’s driver, was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine,
Maintaining a Vehicle for the purposes of Manufacturing, Selling or Delivering a Controlled Substance, and
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Craig is also currently on Federal Probation for Methamphetamine
Distribution. Craig, 41, received a $100,000 secured bond and has a first appearance in Catawba County District
Court on August 12, 2024.
Caroline Elizabeth Patel, the vehicles passenger, was arrested and charged with Trafficking in
Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Patel,35, received a $75,000 secured bond and has a
first appearance in Catawba County District Court on August 12, 2024.