A Valdese man will spend at least five years in prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking.

Nicholas Eugene Bollinger, 33, of Valdese, pleaded guilty to felony trafficking in opium/heroin and was sentenced Monday to a minimum of five years to a maximum of about seven and a half years in prison, according to a release from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.

Bollinger was arrested on July 11 after the Burke County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at his home as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation, the release said.

During the search, investigators found fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and guns, including one that was stolen, the release said.

Bollinger and Emily Clawson were both arrested charged with felony trafficking in opium/heroin, felony possession of meth

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