Four Arrested In Drug Trafficking Bust In Lancaster

Miles Ruder,

LANCASTER, N.C. – Four people were arrested on drug charges following a search warrant at a home in Lancaster, according to the sheriff’s office.

Detectives obtained a search warrant at a home off East Gay Street in Lancaster after an undercover investigation found fentanyl was sold from the residence.

Four suspects were detained while officers conducted a search on Thursday, September 5th. A fifth individual was detained at the residence, but wasn’t a part of the investigation and was not charged, the sheriff’s office said.

In the search, deputies said they seized over 76 grams of fentanyl, 0.20 grams of methamphetamine, 34 dosage units of oxycodone, and 0.79 grams of marijuana. Scales, smoking pipes and a handgun were also seized.

The four suspects – 23-year-old Natalie Cairnes, 35-year-old Dajuan Foster, 36-year-old Brandal McIlwain, and 33-year-old Ashton Wallace – were all arrested and transported to the Lancaster County Detention Center. Wallace and McIlwain were found to have fentanyl and methamphetamine on themselves, respectively, during the search, the sheriff’s office said.

β€œThis property was another hot spot we’ve been receiving complaints on,” said Sheriff Barry Faile. β€œWe bought trafficking level Fentanyl at this property the first time and found a whole lot more when we went back with the search warrant. This was a very successful operation, and I’m glad we got these drugs off the street and put Cairnes and Foster in jail.”

Cairnes and Foster were each charged with the following:

  • Trafficking Fentanyl, 28 Grams or More
  • Trafficking Fentanyl, 4-14 Grams
  • Possession of Methamphetamine
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl in Proximity to Hughes Street Park
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana in Proximity to Hughes Street Park
  • Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Violent Crime

McIlwain was charged with possession of methamphetamine while Wallace was charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Cairnes and Foster were each denied bond. Each face an additional charge for distributing fentanyl near the Gay Street basketball courts in a previous incident, according to the sheriff’s office.