Drug Bust

October 3, 2012

A Hickory man is charged after marijuana was found in his basement.

Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, along with Newton Police Department and Hickory Police Department’s narcotic division arrested Justin Alexander McAlister, 37 of 1771 16th St. N.E., Hickory, on Monday, Oct. 1. The Sheriff’s Office received a tip Monday and executed a search of the residence. Sheriff Coy Reid said they originally thought the call was in the county but called Hickory when they reached the location. Reid said officers smelled a strong oder and could see marijuana, along with other paraphernalia, in plain view when McAlister opened the front door.

To read more of this story, pick up the Thursday edition of Catawba County's community newspaper, The Observer News Enterprise, at newsstands throughout the county.