Two arrested in drug bust during traffic stop

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - Two people were arrested in a drug bust during a traffic stop Friday, April 17, according to the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office.

Special agents with the James River Regional Drug Task Force and deputies from the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop near I-81, exit 156 in Botetourt County.

During the stop, a Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office K-9 conducted an open air sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of illegal drugs, according to deputies. Deputies say a subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 34 grams of methamphetamine.

The occupants of the vehicle were identified as Shyanne E. Bryant, a 23-year-old woman, and Charles L. Fitzgerald, Jr., a 23-year-old man, both residents of Natural Bridge Station.

Both were charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (20 grams or more). They were held at the Botetourt County Jail without bond.

“This case demonstrates exactly how committed our agencies are to working together across jurisdictional lines to target and arrest those who are poisoning our communities,” said Rockbridge County and Lexington City Sheriff Tony McFaddin, Botetourt County Sheriff Matt Ward, and Bedford County Sheriff Mike Miller in a joint statement.

“Through the James River Regional Drug Task Force, our offices work hand in hand with one another, the city and town police departments throughout Rockbridge, Botetourt, and Bedford counties, and the Virginia State Police to aggressively investigate drug trafficking wherever it occurs. If you bring illegal drugs into or through our counties, you will be investigated and you will be arrested. We will continue taking these dangerous substances off the street and holding drug traffickers accountable.”