Month Long Narcotics Investigation Results In Seven Arrests

Jack Hale,

CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. – The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office conducted a month long narcotics investigation at a residence on S. Lafeyette Street and resulted in seven arrests, according to a news release.

Brandon Barnette, the focus of the investigation, was arrested and charged with two counts of trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in opium or heroin and possession of firearm by felon.

Dylan Stone was arrested and charged with felony maintaining a dwelling (for sell/delivering controlled substance) and felony possession of schedule II controlled substance.

Tiffany Jackson was arrested and charged with felony possession of schedule II controlled substance.

Whitney Hall was arrested and charged with multiple motor vehicle violation warrants, possession with intent to sell/deliver methamphetamine, sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance and probation violations and child support warrants.

Allaya Hite was arrested and charged with three counts of trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking in opium or heroin and possession of firearm by felon.

Jason Butler was arrested and charged with warrant for possession of stolen motor vehicle.

Alyssa Branch was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and felony possession of schedule VI controlled substance.

The release states that the following were seized at the residence after obtaining a search warrant:

  • 200 grams of methamphetamine
  • 32 grams of fentanyl
  • 11 dosage units (blue pills, suspect fentanyl)
  • 32 grams of marijuana
  • Various drug paraphernalia
  • Three handguns and numerous rounds of ammunition
  • Armored plate carrier vest
  • Approximately $1,700 in cash

The estimated value of the narcotics found was $5,800.

“The Sheriff’s Office will continue to make drug investigations a high priority,” Sheriff Alan Norman said. “Statistics have shown for years that drug use leads to other crimes, in particular breaking and entering and larcenies, where users have to steal to fund their habit.”

“The violence associated with drug dealing is also a huge concern of mine, and those dealers who possess guns during drug transactions will be a very high priority.”