Murphy, N.C. — A man convicted of trafficking methamphetamine in Cherokee County has been sentenced to more than 24 years in federal prison, prosecutors announced this week.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the sentencing followed a lengthy investigation involving local law enforcement and federal drug enforcement agencies. Authorities said the defendant played a central role in distributing large quantities of meth across western North Carolina, contributing to what officials have described as a persistent challenge for rural communities in the Appalachian region.

Investigators said they recovered significant amounts of methamphetamine during the case, along with firearms and drug-related equipment. Prosecutors argued that the sentence reflects both the seriousness of the crime and the damage that large-scale trafficking operations can cause in smaller communities.

Local law enforcement officials praised the outcome, calling it a “clear message” that drug trafficking will not be tolerated in Cherokee County. They also emphasized the importance of partnerships between county deputies, state investigators, and federal agencies in securing convictions of this scale.

Methamphetamine has been a recurring issue in western North Carolina, where officials say rural geography and proximity to interstate routes have made the region a target for trafficking networks. Community leaders have called for both tougher enforcement and expanded treatment resources to address addiction.

The convicted trafficker will serve more than two decades behind bars before becoming eligible for supervised release.