McDowell County Sheriff’s Office Announces Major Drug Trafficking Arrests Following Collaborative Investigation

McDowell County, NC – Lieutenant Chris Taylor with the McDowell County Drug Enforcement has announced the arrest of two individuals involved in methamphetamine trafficking, following an extensive investigation by local and state agencies.

Greggory Cole Lowery, 36, of Nebo, has been charged with two counts of felony Trafficking Methamphetamine. He was issued a secured bond of $2,000,000. Additionally, Timothy James Beaty, 47, of Nebo, has been charged with felony Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine and was issued a secured bond of $500,000.

Details of the Investigation

The McDowell County Drug Enforcement, comprised of detectives from the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, Marion Police Department, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), began investigating Lowery earlier this year. Over the course of several months, detectives identified Lowery as a significant supplier of methamphetamine in McDowell County.

On November 13, 2024, McDowell County Drug Enforcement, with assistance from the Rutherford County Narcotics and Street Crimes Units, conducted surveillance on US-221 near the Rutherford/McDowell County line. Detectives observed Lowery driving a grey Honda Pilot, closely followed by a yellow Ford F-150 truck driven by Beaty. A traffic stop was conducted on the truck by Rutherford County detectives due to a traffic violation.

Simultaneously, the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office Community Impact Team attempted to stop Lowery’s vehicle for a traffic violation once he entered McDowell County. Lowery attempted to evade officers by fleeing onto Polly Spout Road and then Vein Mountain Road. During the pursuit, Lowery pulled over, poured an accelerant inside his vehicle, and set it on fire before fleeing on foot. After a brief foot chase, Lowery was apprehended, and the vehicle fire was extinguished.

Significant Seizures

Subsequent search warrants were executed on Lowery’s residence, vehicle, and other properties in McDowell County. Authorities recovered approximately:

• 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of suspected methamphetamine from his vehicle

• 1 pound of suspected methamphetamine and approximately 20 firearms from his residence

An estimated street value of the methamphetamine confiscated from Lowery’s vehicle was $3.8 million. This case remains under active investigation, with additional charges pending.

“I am extremely proud of the McDowell County Drug Enforcement for their relentless commitment to protecting our county and state from the devastating impact of these illegal drugs,” said Sheriff Ricky T. Buchanan. “While we may never fully know the number of lives saved through this extraordinary seizure, we can say with certainty that their efforts have made our communities safer.”

Having spent nearly 10 years of his career dedicated to working drug enforcement, Sheriff Buchanan stated that he understood on a personal level how these investigations take time to put together for a successful prosecution.

“It is nothing short of heroic. Knowing what this group puts into their work every day, with little to no recognition at times, it is great to see their hard work pay off with this type of seizure.”

Marion Police Chief Allen Lawrence stated that this was the largest drug seizure in the history of McDowell County and also the largest drug seizure he had ever been a part of in his 25-year career.

“This did not happen by chance or luck, but by many long days and hours away from their own families to make this community a safer place. I would put this group of individuals up against any specialized unit anywhere in the country because of their years of experience, talents, dedication, and ability to work together. I am proud of them and honored to be a small part of this and privileged to work with this group everyday.”

Chief Lawrence also stressed that recognition for the drug bust should go to the men and women who dedicated themselves to the investigation, rather than to himself.

“Even though I may be the one to get to comment about this case or be that person in a photo in a media release, it’s not about me or anything I have done. This case is all about the individuals that make up the McDowell County Drug Enforcement. The credit and recognition go all to them for their hard work and dedication on this case.”

North Carolina SBI Director Roger “Chip” Hawley expressed his appreciation for Buchanan and Lawrence, and also for the agency partnerships and dedication.

“The SBI considers it a privilege to have an ongoing partnership with McDowell County Sheriff’s Office and Marion Police Department as we strive collaboratively to keep North Carolina safe from drug traffickers.”

Acknowledgment of Collaborating Agencies

The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office extends its gratitude to the following agencies for their assistance during this investigation:

• Marion Police Department

• North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI)

• Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office

• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

• Henderson County Sheriff’s Office

• North Carolina State Highway Patrol

“I’m proud of our partnerships with these agencies committed to the McDowell County Drug Enforcement,” said Buchanan. “This seizure serves as a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we work together.”