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Six-month investigation leads to 13 arrests, seizure of 22 pounds of meth

A six-month trafficking investigation led to the arrest of 13 people and the seizure of 22 pounds of methamphetamine Wednesday, according to authorities.

MUG SHOTS: 13 arrested in major drug, gun bust

The drug deals were primarily in McDowell and Rutherford counties and the meth came from the Atlanta area.

(WSOCTV.com)

Police also seized 43 firearms, ranging from handguns to assault rifles, the report said.

[RELATED: Man on trial for having meth in court with meth]

“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.”

Meth - Five Fast Facts Meth - Five Fast Facts (NCD)

The suspects are from Rutherfordton, Forest City, Old Fort, Bostic, Ellenboro and Mooresboro in North Carolina, and Lexington and Spartanburg in South Carolina, the report said, and some face bonds as high as $5 million.

Suspects names and charges:

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

The investigation involved officers from five separate law enforcement agencies, including McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, 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, the Morganton Department of Public Safety and the Prosecutorial District 29A District Attorney’s Office.

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