Sheriff Kevin H. Bean announces that on March 4, 2026, the Caldwell County Sheriff’s I.C.E Unit made an arrest of two Granite Falls men. The investigation involved the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, the Granite Falls Police Department and the Lenoir Police Department. The joint investigation ended with the seizure of over $34,000 worth of Methamphetamine.
On March 4, 2026, Detectives with the Granite Falls Police Department conducted a vehicle stop on a 2007 Audi A3 traveling on Hwy 321 in Granite Falls. During the interaction, a Lenoir Police Department K-9 responded and conducted a sniff of the vehicle. After K-9 Atos alerted, the vehicle was searched by detectives and was found to contain approximately 233 grams of Methamphetamine.
The driver, Daren Lee Ellis, age 31 of Granite Falls, was arrested on two counts of Trafficking Methamphetamine.
Another party involved, William Brandon Hibbert, age 25 of Granite Falls, was arrested on Felony Conspiracy to Traffick Methamphetamine.
Both were placed in the Caldwell County Detention Center under no bond.
The Methamphetamine seized has a total street value of $34,950 according to North Carolina State Drug Guidelines. Methamphetamine is valued at $150 per gram by the State of North Carolina.
“The three law enforcement agencies working together is very important in the fight against drugs in this county.” – Sheriff Kevin Bean
The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office is always in search of any information involving the use and distribution of illegal controlled substances. A concerned citizen’s information and assistance will be kept confidential. If you have any information concerning illegal drug activity in Caldwell County, please contact the:
Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office I.C.E. Unit at 828-757-1178.
Lenoir Police Department’s Narcotics Division at 828-757-2145.
Hudson Police Department at 828-728-5021.
Granite Falls Police Department at 828-396-3358.
Caldwell County Crimestoppers at 828-758-8300.
