MCDOWELL COUNTY – Polk County played a part in a major methamphetamine bust last week in McDowell County where 13 people were arrested and 24 pounds of methamphetamine was discovered, along with money and guns.

The joint investigation involved the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, the Marion Police Department, the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, the N.C. Highway Patrol, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Morganton Department of Public Safety and the Prosecutorial District 29A District Attorney’s Office.

A press release from the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation focused on the distribution of methamphetamine, primarily in McDowell and Rutherford counties, where it was determined during the investigation that the drugs were coming from the Atlanta area into McDowell and Rutherford counties for distribution in those areas.

“The drugs were headed directly for our streets,” McDowell County Sheriff Dudley Greene said. “We’re glad they didn’t get there. This case underscores the impact law enforcement can have when agencies work together. I appreciate our dedicated personnel, and the partnership we have with other agencies.”

Beginning last Wednesday, Dec. 27, law enforcement conducted multiple search warrants and arrested 13 suspects, according to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office:

• Tracey Lynn Arnold, 54, of 3815 Dedmond Road, Mooresboro was arrested and charged with one count each of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and aiding and abetting continuing a criminal enterprise. Arnold was given a $1 million bond.
• Andy Darren Green, 49, of 722 Andrews Mill Road, Bostic was arrested and charged with two counts of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and one count of aiding and abetting continuing a criminal enterprise. Green was given a $1 million bond.
• Roman Guzman, 27, of Lexington, S.C. was arrested and charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. Guzman was given a $500,000 bond.
• Ruben Guzman, 26, of Spartanburg, S.C. was arrested and charged with two counts each of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and trafficking in methamphetamine and one count of aiding and abetting continuing a criminal enterprise. Guzman was given a $5 million bond.
• Ashlea Nicole Hawkins, 34, of 1048 High Shoals Church Road, Mooresboro was arrested and charged with one count each of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and aiding and abetting continuing a criminal enterprise. Hawkins was given a $100,000 bond.
• Joshua Michael “Bubba” Lipe, 37, of 70 Indian Waters Drive, Old Fort was arrested and charged with two counts of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and one count of aiding and abetting continuing a criminal enterprise. Lipe was given a $5 million bond.
• Dennis Eugene Medley, 35, of 1458 Beechwood Road, Mooresboro was arrested and charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. Medley was given a $1 million bond.
• Tonya Chris-Ann Mullinax, 40, of 840 Jack McKinney Road, Forest City was arrested and charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. Mullinax was given a $1 million bond.
• Deidre Diane Pearson, 38, of 3815 Dedmond Road, Mooresboro was arrested and charged with two counts of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and one count of aiding and abetting continuing a criminal enterprise. Pearson was given a $5 million bond.
• Dustin Bo Pearson, 30, of 161 Cliffside St., Rutherfordton was arrested and charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. Pearson was given a $1 million bond.
• Robin Ann Rhyne, 54, of 62 Highway 70 Business East, Ellenboro was arrested and charged with two counts of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and one count of aiding and abetting continuing a criminal enterprise. Rhyne was given a $1 million bond.
• Allison Michelle Smith, 51, of 76 Souther Road, Old Fort was arrested and charged with one count each of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and continuing a criminal enterprise. Smith was given a $5 million bond.
• Wesley Chad Smith, 42, of 122 Durham Road, Mooresboro was arrested and charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. Smith was given a $500,000 bond.

 

In total, law enforcement agencies seized 24 pounds of methamphetamine, an unknown amount of U.S. currency and 43 firearms, ranging from handguns to assault rifles, according to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office.

Additional arrests are expected in the case.