On Monday, November 25, Narcotic Agents with the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office and Detectives from the Lenoir Police Department observed two rental cars traveling on Hwy 321 in Granite Falls. Caldwell County Sheriff’s Deputies initiated stops on both vehicles and Sheriff’s Office K-9 Angie was used to conduct a sniff of the vehicles. The K-9 alerted to the odor of narcotics and both vehicles were searched.
Deputies located approximately 22.2 pounds of methamphetamine in the trunk of the first vehicle and over $30,000 in US currency in the passenger area of the second vehicle.
34-year-old Keenan Ryan Michaux of Granite Falls, 33-year-old Essence Janette Largent whose address was not listed, and 36-year-old Kristin Lee Deon of Hickory were all arrested. They are charged with two counts each of trafficking in methamphetamine and felony conspiring to traffic in methamphetamine. They were each jailed under $1 million secured bonds in the Caldwell County Detention Center.
A District Court appearance was scheduled for December 18.
The methamphetamine seized has a total street value of ovr $1.5 million according to North Carolina State Drug Guidelines.
Photos: Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office