By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

A Rowan County Sheriff’s deputy charged two people with trafficking pills after he ran a license plate and determined the registration was expired.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Hunter Dean Kluttz, 20, of Marshall, and Christopher Michael Reece, 20, of Granite Quarry, with felony trafficking in opium by possession.

The incident occurred Friday around 8 a.m. while the officer was patrolling East Bank Street in Granite Quarry. The officer saw the Chevrolet Tahoe and, after running the license plate, the information also indicated the driver’s license was revoked.

The deputy turned his vehicle around and as soon as the deputy pulled the SUV over, the passenger, later identified as Hunter Kluttz, took off. The officer was able to catch up to him a short distance later. The driver, Christopher Reece, was detained.

The officer said the pair appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Reece admitted they smoked marijuana in the car. The officer searched the vehicle and found nine Lortab pills.

Both remain in the Rowan County Detention Center, each under a $30,000 secured bond.