North Carolina Restaurant Owner Busted as Center of Marijuana Drug Operation

Police in Gaston County, North Carolina have busted a barbeque restaurant owner as the center of a marijuana trafficking operation in the northern part of the county.

The alleged marijuana operation was also across the street from a daycare, according to police officials.

The investigation, which started in November of last year, involved Smokey’s BBQ Restaurant and its owner, 39-year-old Donnie Allen Wooten.

During the course of the investigation, an undercover agent bought as much as 30 pounds of marijuana from Wooten, valued at $137,000.

Wooten was arrested and charged with selling marijuana; delivering marijuana; manufacturing marijuana; three counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; five counts of maintaining a dwelling for drug use; two counts of manufacture, sale or delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school; four counts of conspiring to sell marijuana; four counts of conspiring to deliver marijuana; five counts of trafficking in marijuana; and conspiracy to traffic marijuana.

Three other suspects were involved in the massive marijuana operation. Michael Gene Huffman, 35, was also arrested and charged with seven counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; seven counts of manufacturing marijuana; six counts of selling marijuana; six counts of delivering marijuana; nine counts of maintaining a dwelling for drug use; four counts of manufacture, sale or delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school; four counts of conspiring to sell marijuana; four counts of conspiring to deliver marijuana; five counts of trafficking in marijuana; and conspiracy to traffic marijuana. Tausha Michelle Mixon, 29, was arrested and charged with two counts of maintaining a dwelling for drug use; two counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver; manufacturing marijuana; conspiracy to sell marijuana; and conspiracy to deliver marijuana.

The fourth suspect in the marijuana operation, 25-year-old Jessica Dannette Plummer, is still at large. Police have a search warrant for her arrest, charging her with possession with intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance; manufacturing marijuana; and maintaining a dwelling for drug use.

According to the investigation, Wooten sold marijuana both from his house and from his business. At Smokey’s, Wooten often had Huffman perform the drug sale for him, sometimes inside the restaurant itself. Police also allege that the four suspects sold marijuana out of the house that Mixon and Huffman shared.

According to the restaurant’s Facebook page, Smokey’s permanently closed on April 2nd.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Marijuana Drug Charges

Until different marijuana legislation is passed through the South Carolina state legislature, a first time offender charged with simple possession of marijuana can face up to thirty days in jail and be ordered to pay a fine, which can more than double when you add in court costs.

The marijuana trafficking and possession lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients, providing aggressive representation grounded in our years of experience building and interpreting the laws of South Carolina. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case. 803.252.4800