ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A yearslong, multi-agency investigation led to what officials are calling the largest fentanyl seizure in Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office history, authorities said.
On April 16, members of the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Illegal Gun Reduction and Narcotics Task Force, Special Response Team and Animal Crimes unit, along with agents from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Asheville Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration, executed three search warrants at residences in Buncombe County.
Searches were conducted at homes on Roper Street in Candler and on Mardell Circle and Dartmouth Street in Asheville.
Authorities said the operation targeted a large-scale drug trafficking organization.
Investigators seized 6.22 pounds of fentanyl, 2.03 pounds of cocaine, 125.3 grams of methamphetamine, 0.97 pounds of marijuana and 30 grams of MDMA, along with one handgun, more than $20,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia.
Officials said six people were charged in connection with the investigation.
Henry Moreland faces multiple trafficking charges, including fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, along with maintaining a dwelling for drug activity, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver MDMA, money laundering and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance.
Kissy Michele Mills was charged with money laundering.
Sierra Astrid Blalock and Dakota Salene Gearin were each charged with conspiracy to traffic fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine.
Brian Moreland and Kristy Rae Wilson were each charged with trafficking fentanyl and maintaining a dwelling for the sale of controlled substances.
Authorities said the amount of fentanyl seized could have translated into thousands individual dosage units.
“For perspective, the amount of dangerous substances seized as a result of this investigation would have been converted into at least 50,000 individual dosage units,” Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office District 2 Capt. Chris Stockton said in a statement. “The positive impact this investigation has on our community is staggering.”
Officials credited the outcome to cooperation among local, state and federal agencies.
