27+ pounds of meth seized, 2 arrested in yearlong Burke County drug investigation

The Burke County Sheriff's Office says a year-long investigation into a methamphetamine trafficking operation ended in early July 2026 with the seizure of more than 27 pounds of methamphetamine and two arrests.

According to the sheriff's office, Diamond Sharell Lipscomb and Jennifer Nicole Halstead were each charged with:

• Trafficking in Methamphetamine
• Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Methamphetamine

Investigators reported that Lipscomb was taken into custody on July 9 after a brief foot pursuit near an attempted traffic stop, and faced additional traffic-related charges. Halstead was arrested the following day after a traffic stop in Connelly Springs. Bond was reported at $575,000 secured for Lipscomb and $500,000 secured for Halstead.

The sheriff's office credited a multi-agency effort that it said included the Catawba County Sheriff's Office, the Hickory and Morganton police departments, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force.

All charges are allegations. Both individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.