A traffic stop near Hillsborough on Saturday led to the arrest of a man on drug trafficking charges and the seizure of dozens of grams of cocaine and marijuana.

A release from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office on Monday said a deputy pulled over 48-year-old Hillsborough resident David Anthony Evans after seeing his license plate was revoked and suspecting the driver may not have proper insurance. After checking Evans’ driver’s license and finding a history of prior drug convictions – and reportedly smelling marijuana from Evans’ vehicle – the deputy conducted a probable cause search. His reported said he found 81 grams of marijuana in the passenger compartment and more than 190 grams of cocaine in the trunk.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning for operating a motor vehicle without insurance, which then led to the deputy transporting Evans to the local magistrate’s office. From there, Evans was charged with several felonies, including:

  • trafficking cocaine
  • possession with the intent to sell and deliver cocaine
  • possession of cocaine
  • possession with the intent to sell and deliver marijuana,
  • possession of marijuana
  • maintaining a vehicle for the manufacture, sale, or delivery of a controlled substance

A photo of the seized cocaine from David Anthony Evans on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Photo via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.)

Evans has an extensive criminal record, dating back to the late 2000s according to court records for Durham, Orange and Wake counties. He also faces one count of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia from Saturday’s traffic stop, according to Monday’s release.

Because of his criminal record and the severity of Saturday’s charges, the local magistrate initially did not issue Evans a bond — but after his first appearance in court on the charges Monday, the district court judge set a secured bond of $100,000. As of Monday evening, the Hillsborough resident remains in custody at the Orange County Detention Center.

 

Featured photo via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

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