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Area heroin arrests point to rise in use

By Richard Gould | Hickory Daily Record

Published: July 17, 2009

GRANITE FALLS - Heroin use is on the rise and area law enforcement agencies are focused on eliminating it.

"Lately, we are beginning to see an increase with heroin use in Caldwell County. I do not want to see this become an epidemic problem for us," said Caldwell County Sheriff Alan C. Jones. "Anyone caught dealing this poison in our county will not like the consequences."

Sgt. Lance Hopper of the Catawba County Sheriff's Office said he's noticed an increase in heroin use in Catawba County as well during the past year.

'That's a big change for us," he said. "It's a very serious priority for the sheriff's office."

Hopper said the sheriff's office is focused on arresting dealers and keeping them off the streets in an effort to stem the tide of drugs coming into the county. The hope is that users will seek rehabilitation and stop using the drug if it's no longer available.

The work has begun, and a drug task force composed of multiple law enforcement agencies arrested Janie Stewart Spears, 39, and Terri Francis Smith, 46, of Faras Lane in Hudson on Tuesday on heroin charges.

The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office Ice Unit took the lead on the investigation that began when undercover narcotic agents began purchasing heroin from Spears earlier this month.

Investigators discovered Spears and Smith had traveled to Charlotte to pick up more heroin and narcotics agents followed them. They stopped and arrested Spears and Smith on their return trip at Bojangles in Granite Falls. Both were taken into custody without incident, according to Sgt. J.D. Barbour.

Officers searched the two and their vehicle and seized more than 30 doses of heroin with a street value of $750. They also seized balloons used to package heroin, syringes, a small amount of currency and the 2000 Mitsubishi Mirage used to transport the drugs, according to police reports.

Spears was charged with three felony counts of possession with intent to sell/deliver heroin, three felony counts of sell and deliver heroin and three felony counts of felonious maintain a vehicle to keep/store a controlled substance, heroin. Her bond was set at $150,000 secured.

Smith was charged with felony possession of heroin and jailed on a $50,000 secured bond.

Officers with the Granite Falls Police Department, Lenoir Police Department and Catawba County Sheriff's Office assisted in the investigation.

CATAWBA COUNTY

The Catawba County Sheriff's arrested two accused heroin dealers on June 6 after a month-long investigation, said Chief Deputy Coy Reid.

Amber Brooke Philyaw, 28, of Maiden, was charged with trafficking heroin and conspiracy to traffic heroin.

Mark Wesley McManus, 30, of Newton, was charged with possession with intent to sell/distribute heroin and conspiracy to traffic heroin.

Both are being held on $20,000 secured bonds.

Sixty doses of heroin and one solid piece were seized in what Sgt. Lance Hopper said was the biggest heroin bust in Catawba County this decade. He added that the bust was not linked to the Caldwell County arrests.

Hopper said most of the heroin seen in Catawba County is what's referred to as "Mexican brown tar" and flows through Colombia.

He said it's vital for parents to be aware of their children's activities and behavior and to seek help if they suspect their child is dabbling in heroin.

"If there's a parent out there who suspects that their child is under the influence of this drug, they need to report it immediately — it kills people," Hopper said.

Anyone with information about illegal drug activity is asked to contact the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office I.C.E. Unit at (828) 757-1178 or the Catawba County Sheriff's Office at (828) 464-3112.