MURPHY, N.C. – Cherokee County, N.C. Sheriff Derrick Palmer reported the Feb. 28, 2020 arrest of three individuals violations of North Carolina Controlled Substances Act including trafficking of heroin and cocaine possession.

The three allegedly responsible are Waylon Douglas Carswell,45, of Murphy, James Terry Sawyers,67, of Marble, N.C., and Marcia Elaine Weeks, 38, of Murphy.

Acting on information that individuals were illegally transporting and distributing transporting large quantities of heroin into Cherokee County, N.C., an investigation was conducted by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).

At about 1:30 a.m., investigators and deputies conducted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle. During the traffic stop, the CCSO K-9 was utilized, which resulted in a positive indication for the presence of controlled substances. A search of the vehicle uncovered over 50 grams of heroin, a small amount of crack cocaine, a firearm, and U.S. currency. CCSO seized these items.

James Terry Sawyers was brought to the Cherokee County Detention Center where he was placed on a $500,000.00 secure bond for TRAFFICKING IN OPIUM OR HEROIN, CONSPIRE TO TRAFFIC IN OPIUM/HEROIN, FELONY POSSESSION OF COCAINE, MAINTAIN PLACE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. Sawyer’s first appearance is scheduled for March 5, 2020, in Cherokee County District Court.

Waylan Douglas Carswell was brought to the Cherokee County Detention Center where he was placed on a $250,000.00 secure bond for TRAFFICKING IN OPIUM OR HEROIN, CONSPIRE TRAFFIC OPIUM/HEROIN, FELONY POSSESSION OF COCAINE. Carswell’s first appearance is scheduled for March 5, 2020, in Cherokee County District Court.

Marcia Elaine Weeks was brought to the Cherokee County Detention Center where she was placed on a $250,000.00 secure bond for TRAFFICKING IN OPIUM OR HEROIN, CONSPIRE TO TRAFFIC IN OPIUM/HEROIN, FELONY POSSESSION OF COCAINE, SIMPLE POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE III CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, SIMPLE POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. Weeks’ first appearance is scheduled for March 5, 2020, in Cherokee County District Court.

Sheriff Palmer said “Good work picking up the lead and following through with the information which took some very bad drugs off the streets. We are continuing this matter to wherever it leads. Our new K9 made its first detection and we anticipate continued success with the new addition to the Sheriff’s Office.”