Investigations lead to drug arrests
Published 10:22 am Thursday, May 9, 2019
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Four people were arrested in two drug investigations last week, including two at a home where they were suspected of selling to high-school age students.
Davie sheriff’s officers had received complaints about a residence on NC 801 just outside of the Cooleemee city limits where high school students were buying and smoking marijuana, said Sheriff J.D. Hartman.
The department obtained a search warrant, and found a marijuana grow operation among other drugs.
Marijuana was being grown inside a tent on the property, that included other necessary items for growing the drug, Hartman said. Six marijuana plant root balls were confiscated, along with 763 grams of green, unprocessed marijuana.
There were multiple storage containers of marijuana totaling 52 grams, the sheriff reported. They also found seven grams of psilocybin or psychedlic mushrooms, and multiple pieces of marijuana paraphernalia.
Two residents were arrested:
Marvin Dabi Argueta, 29, was charged with manufacturing marijuana, possession with the intent to sell marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance.
Angello Kanabis Casarez, 18, was charged with possession with intent to sell Schedule I controlled substance, possession with intent to sell marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance.
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A multiple jurisdiction eight-month investigation led to the arrest of two Davie residents.
Investigators seized 10 ounces of methamphetamine, 6.5 ounces of marijuana, money and multiple guns.
Juan Bartolo Navarro, 34, was charged with two counts of trafficking in methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell marijuana, a felon in possession of a firearm, and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance. He was taken into custody in lieu of a $350,000 bond.
Mary Ann Bartolo, 34, was charged with possession with intent to sell marijuana and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance. She was taken into custody in lieu of a $10,000 bond.
Additional charges are pending for animal cruelty stemming from roosters located on the property.
Hartman said officers also found a shrine to Santa Muerte, including enough candles to keep one burning at all times. The worship of this patron saint has been linked to drug cartels in Mexico, he said.
Also participating in the investigation were the NC SBI, Surry and Yadkin sheriff’s departments, Yadkinville and Mount Airy police departments. Sharing of information with the DeKalb County (Ga.) Police Department led to an arrest there along with the confiscation of 11.5 pounds of methamphetamine and a gun.