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Gaston County police seized 45 guns, including handguns and assault rifles, from a home in the western part of the county, authorities said Friday.
Rifles and shotguns were also among the weapons seized by police. Officers also found about nine pounds of marijuana, Hydrocodone pills and more than $5,000 in cash at the home on Chestnut Ridge Church Road. That’s about 12 miles west of Gastonia.
Authorities said the items were found Thursday after an officer was doing a follow-up investigation at the home. The officer smelled “a strong odor of marijuana” at the home, and secured the residence until he received a search warrant, according to a news release.
A man who lived at the home, Mark Wesley Walters, 41, was arrested and faces multiple charges, including felony possession of marijuana, conspiracy to traffic opium or heroin and resisting, delaying and obstructing an officer. He is being held under a $300,000 bond at the Gaston County jail.
Meanwhile, police have obtained warrants for a second suspect, Walter’s brother. Tracey John Walters, 39, also is wanted for multiple charges, including drug possession, and trafficking opium or heroin.
Authorities said their investigation is ongoing with officers trying to determine, among other things, whether any of the weapons were stolen. Police said additional charges are possible in the case.
