Asheville Man Charged After Fentanyl and Meth Found During Trespass Arrest

Large amounts of drugs seized during incident at Pisgah View Apartments

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A 37-year-old man in Asheville, North Carolina was arrested on multiple drug charges after police found him in possession of 45.41 grams of fentanyl and 11.65 grams of methamphetamine during a trespass call at a local apartment complex.

Why it matters

The arrest highlights the ongoing opioid crisis and the prevalence of hard drugs like fentanyl and meth in many communities. It also demonstrates the risks officers face when responding to seemingly routine calls that can quickly escalate into more serious situations involving dangerous narcotics.

The details

Officers with the Asheville Police Department responded to a report of a person trespassing at Pisgah View Apartments in west Asheville around 3:30 p.m. on February 20. They encountered Brandon Matthew Byford, who is prohibited from the Asheville Housing Authority property. During the arrest for trespassing, Byford was found to be in possession of a large amount of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

  • On February 20, 2026, around 3:30 p.m., officers responded to the trespass call.
  • Byford was arrested and charged on February 20, 2026.

The players

Brandon Matthew Byford

A 37-year-old man who was arrested and charged with multiple drug offenses after being found in possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine during a trespass call.

Asheville Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the trespass call and made the arrest.

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What’s next

Byford was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility without bond. The case is ongoing as authorities continue to investigate the drug trafficking operation.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the serious public health and safety risks posed by the proliferation of powerful synthetic opioids like fentanyl, as well as the importance of community members reporting suspicious activity to help law enforcement address the drug crisis.