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BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Fentanyl-related deaths in Buncombe County have declined from a recent peak, but law enforcement officials say the drug continues to move into the community through established trafficking routes and remains a serious threat.
Data from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner shows Buncombe County recorded 66 fentanyl-positive deaths in 2025, down from 82 in 2024 and significantly lower than the peak of 144 deaths in 2022.
Emergency department data shows a similar trend. Buncombe County recorded 336 overdose-related emergency room visits in 2024, compared to 521 in 2023, according to state health data.
Still, Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Chris Stockton said the presence of fentanyl remains widespread.
“It’s funneling in across Buncombe County. There’s not just one singular common spot. It can be anywhere,” Stockton said.
Stockton said what investigators see locally is tied to a broader supply chain driven by demand within the community.
“You have local folks within the community that know of demand and they just source out to find folks who are eventually linked into much larger organizations,” Stockton said.
Those larger networks often begin outside western North Carolina.
“Most prevalent ones we’re seeing right now are starting at a port in either Charleston or Wilmington,” Stockton said. “They’ll make their way from there to Charlotte, Knoxville, and Atlanta, and from there into our community.”
Investigations into fentanyl cases can begin in several ways, including overdose calls, tips, or information from other agencies.
“All of the above,” Stockton said. “They can start with an overdose, a community complaint, or information from other agencies.”
While deaths have declined in recent years, Stockton said fentanyl remains especially dangerous compared to other drugs.
“With fentanyl specifically, it takes a very, very minute amount to bring very quick, sudden death,” he said. “That was not something that we dealt with 20 years ago.”
Stockton said recent declines in overdose deaths may be tied to factors such as increased availability of naloxone, improved training for recognizing overdoses and expanded response programs in Buncombe County. However, he said those improvements have not eliminated the problem.
“At the same time, those fatalities are tragically still happening very often,” he said.
Law enforcement officials also point to the overlap between drug trafficking and firearms as a continuing concern. Stockton said narcotics operations often involve weapons used to protect drugs and money, increasing the risk of violence.
Even with arrests and enforcement efforts, Stockton said the issue continues to evolve.
“Yes, we do see recidivism very commonly,” he said. “And at the same time, humans are very adaptational creatures. If I’m really good at something and I can make a lot of money doing it, it would take a very significant motivator for me to change my behavior.”
He added that there is no simple solution.
“There is no instant solution to that problem,” Stockton said. “As long as there is a demand, people will find a way to bring the supply.”
