A Murphy, N.C., man was arrested Wednesday when White County Sheriff’s Office deputies reportedly found $16,000 of drugs during a traffic stop, according to authorities.

Lars Prentice Johnson, 44, was charged with trafficking methamphetamine. Johnson was arrested during the course of an Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office investigation.

According to a drug enforcement office news release, White County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped a car occupied by Johnson.

“Within a concealed container of the vehicle, deputies and agents of the ARDEO discovered more than 1 pound of suspected methamphetamine and a substantial amount of cash,” according to the news release.

The estimated value of the drugs is $16,000.

The primary operating points of Johnson’s alleged meth trafficking organization was in Hall, Towns and White counties, as well as parts of North Carolina, authorities said.

The investigation is ongoing.