On Tuesday May 5, 2015 at approximately 11:54 p.m., the Columbus Police Department arrested Ronald George Regan, 55, of Morganton, N.C., Hailey Elizabeth Morgan, 20, of Morganton, N.C. and Robert James Lake Jr., 49, of Johnstown, N.Y. at a joint motor vehicle checkpoint on Mills Street.

The Columbus Police Department, together with Tryon and Saluda Police Departments, were conducting license and registration checks when the trio, traveling from Florida to Morganton, was stopped.

During the course of the arrest, 64.5 pounds of marijuana, 100 doses of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), methamphetamine, and numerous prescription medications were located in the vehicle, along with assorted paraphernalia. The marijuana had an estimated street value of over $290,000.

Lake was charged with two counts of felony trafficking in marijuana, felony conspiracy to traffic in marijuana, felony possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, felony conspiracy to sell or deliver marijuana, two counts of felony trafficking in LSD, felony possession with intent to sell or deliver LSD, felony possession of methamphetamine, felony maintain a vehicle for controlled substances, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, possession of a schedule III controlled substance, two counts of possession of a schedule IV controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Lake was held at the Polk County Jail under an $110,000 secured bond. His first court appearance was Wednesday, May 6.

Regan was charged with two counts of felony trafficking in marijuana, felony conspiracy to traffic in marijuana, felony possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, felony conspiracy to sell or deliver marijuana, felony maintain a vehicle for controlled substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Regan was held at the Polk County Jail under a $65,000 secured bond. His first court appearance was Wednesday, May 6.

Morgan was charged with two counts of felony trafficking in marijuana, felony conspiracy to traffic in marijuana, felony possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, felony conspiracy to sell or deliver marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Morgan was held at the Polk County Jail under a $27,000 secured bond. Her first court appearance was Wednesday, May 6.

According to Lt. Nicholas Stott, Lake has a “significant” criminal record, Regan has some older out-of-state drug charges, and Morgan a prior DUI.

Hailey Elizabeth Morgan