Three Arrested on Drug Charges, One Woman Found with 10 Balloons of Heroin in Stomach
Three people have been arrested in North Carolina on drug charges after being tied to a Mexican drug cartel. One woman tried to escape the charges by swallowing evidence – 10 balloons full of heroin.
According to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Department, detectives received information from a variety of sources that the three suspects were involved in trafficking with a Mexican drug cartel. They primarily distributed heroin through Charlotte, NC.
After several hours of surveillance, Lance Gabriel Sigmon, 35, and Kerri Leigh Riley, 28, were stopped and detained after returning from a heroin purchase in Charlotte.
During the investigation, deputies found 2 grams of heroin in the suspects’ home in Troutman, NC. There were also several pieces of drug paraphernalia and $3,218 in cash in the bedroom.
While interviewing Riley, deputies on the scene found that she had ingested 10 balloons of heroin, weighing 10 grams. They obtained a search warrant for the contents of her stomach, and she was taken to Iredell Memorial Hospital where a procedure empties her stomach, and all 10 balloons were recovered.
The total value of the recovered heroin was $2,600.
Michelle Harmon Price, 37, was also arrested in relation to the investigation, and charged with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia. She received a $5,000 secured bond.
Both Riley and Sigmon have been arrested on drug charges including trafficking, opium, heroin, felony maintaining a vehicle/swelling for a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. They each have a $25,000 secured bond.
Deputies say that the investigation is on-going and detectives will continue to pursue further leads to investigate the Mexican Cartel’s activities in Charlotte and the rest of North Carolina.
Federal Drug Charges
The nature of your sentencing and punishment is greatly impacted depending on what kind of drug charge you received – trafficking, possession, intent to distribute, and whether the crime was on a state level, or involved crossing state lines. If you crossed state lines, the drug charges become federal.
The drug crime attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, LLC can help your defense against any charge including:
- Possession
- Trafficking
- Drug Conspiracy
- Possession with Intent to Distribute
In many Federal drug cases, there are several Federal investigators, co-conspirators, undercover informants, wiretap or electronic evidence, as well testimony from co-conspirators who may have cut a deal in exchange for information that led to other arrests, including possibly your own.
Given that most drug cases involve a search and seizure, we will analyze all of the evidence to determine how to present the most effective defense possible through our familiarity with the Federal Judicial Process and South Carolina’s criminal law.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Federal Drug Charges
The Strom Law Firm, LLC represents individuals charged with Federal Drug Crimes including:
• Importing controlled substances
• Manufacturing methamphetamine “Meth”, marijuana, or cocaine
• Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute
• Possession with Intent to Distribute large quantities of drugs
Federal drug charges are serious and can lead to severe consequences.
If you are faced with federal drug charges, you will need a strong defense. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm have the experience and tenacity required for your defense in federal court. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today. 803.252.4800
