Traffic stop reveals BMW is hauling meth hidden in chocolate candy, NC cops say

A traffic stop in rural North Carolina led deputies to discover chocolate candy sitting in plain sight was actually stuffed with meth, according to investigators.

The BMW was pulled over Feb. 19 when deputies acted on a tip that meth was being trafficked in a residential neighborhood near Ellenboro, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said in a Feb. 25 news release.

“Investigators conducted several hours of surveillance. Following the investigation, a traffic stop was initiated after the suspect left the residence and committed a motor vehicle violation,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Following the discovery of the smoking pipe, investigators conducted a search of the vehicle. During the search, approximately two (2) ounces of methamphetamine were located inside a chocolate candy package on the front passenger seat.”

The meth was found “in an assorted Hershey’s chocolate bag but was packaged separately from the candy,” officials said.

Additional meth was found on the driver, resulting in 105 grams being seized, officials said.

The 48-year-old driver was arrested and charged with two counts of trafficking methamphetamine, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for controlled substances, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia, officials said.

The suspect lives in Ellenboro, about a 50-mile drive west from uptown Charlotte.

This story was originally published February 25, 2026 at 11:21 AM.