Robert Wayne Towler, courtesy of Lee County Sheriff’s Office

A Lee County man has been arrested on narcotics charges after a joint investigation between the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Durham County Sheriff’s Office turned up large amounts of marijuana and cocaine.

Drug agents with both departments executed separate search warrants in Lee and Durham counties around 6:20 p.m. Thursday. Lee agents searched 406 Key Road, the home of 49-year old Robert Wayne Towler, and found 7.2 pounds of marijuana and about a third of an ounce of cocaine.

Towler was then apparently apprehended as he approached the house on foot. During the search, agents found a crawl space hidden beneath a floor panel and found a large amount of cash hidden in a green military style ammunition can.

According to a press release from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the search in Durham – the location was not disclosed – turned up another pound of marijuana and nearly a pound of cocaine.

Towler was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, maintaining a dwelling for the sale of controlled substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia. As of the press release, Lee agents noted that Towler had not yet been processed or charged in connection with the drugs seized in Durham County, although authorities said they expected to be forthcoming.

Towler was placed in the Lee County Jail under $20,000 secured bond.