Murphy – A local father-and-son duo have been arrested, along with two others, on drug trafficking and related charges, with high bail amounts set.
According to separate releases last week from the Cherokee and Clay county sheriff’s offices, here’s what reportedly happened.
On May 20, Clay County sheriff’s Lt. Tyler Faggard, Clay County Investigator Steven Smith, Clay County Investigator Nick Queen, Cherokee County sheriff’s Lt. Drew Payne and Cherokee County Investigator Sean Myers began surveillance activities at a sawmill on U.S. 64 West in Brasstown. At 4:45 p.m. May 21, Carlos Dwaine Palmer, 61, of Murphy, was seen leaving the sawmill driving a gold Chevrolet Tahoe.
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Palmer drove to United Community Bank and several other locations before he was stopped by Cherokee County sheriff’s deputies on Old Tomotla Road near the intersection of Regal Road. Carlos’ son – Carl Loren Palmer, 36, of Murphy – was found to be a passenger. After Smith’s K-9, Luca, alerted on the Tahoe, a probable cause search was conducted on both occupants and the vehicle.
A total of $25,000, mostly consisting of banded $100 bills, was found in Carlos Palmer’s front pocket. A search of Carl Palmer’s person yielded a soft black case inside of his boot that contained about 2.4 grams of suspected fentanyl, multiple syringes and a spoon. A magnetic box was found within the Tahoe that contained suspected meth as well as fentanyl.
Both Carl Palmer and Carlos Palmer were arrested and taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center. Carlos was already out on a bond and awaiting trial on charges of conspiracy to manufacture and possess 17 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Carlos Palmer was charged in Cherokee County with trafficking in fentanyl, felony maintaining a vehicle for drugs, felony possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. His was given a $225,000 secured bond.
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Carl Palmer was charged with two counts of trafficking fentanyl, felony possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was given a $200,00 secured bond.
After dealing with the Palmers, officers returned to the sawmill on May 22 and safeguarded an enclosed utility trailer they knew belonged to Carlos Palmer. Queen applied for and received a search warrant for this trailer and then returned to the sawmill, where Clay County Chief Deputy Joe Wood had joined other officers in the ongoing investigation.
A search of the trailer yielded a yellow plastic bag containing multiple baggies of suspected fentanyl and meth, two sets of digital scales and more suspected fentanyl tucked up in the roof of the trailer near a vent. A total 6 grams of suspected meth and 16.5 grams of suspected fentanyl were seized from this trailer.
While executing the search warrant, Elizabeth Pulaski and Maribel Estremera were present at the property. After several more grams of fentanyl were seized, both Pulaski and Estremera were arrested on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia.
The trailer and its remaining contents were seized and towed to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office’s impound lot. As a result of the trailer search, Carlos Palmer was also charged in Clay County with trafficking in fentanyl, felony possession of methamphetamine and felony maintaining a vehicle or place for drugs.
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Pulaski is also awaiting trial for previous charges of trafficking in methamphetamine; trafficking fentanyl; possession with intent to manufacture, sell, deliver cocaine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell, deliver methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell, deliver schedule II controlled substance; maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances; felony possession of schedule II controlled substance; simple possession of schedule II controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia. Those charges stem from an arrest on March 25.
Her initial bond on those charges was set at $600,000 secured. On April 17, a judge reduced her bond to $50,000 secured, which she posted and was released from custody.
After Pulaski’s arrest on May 22, she was released on a $1,000 unsecured bond the following day.
Meanwhile, Estremera was given a $1,000 unsecured bond for possession of drug paraphernalia and released.
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“This is just another example of how those involved in the trafficking of illegal drugs are oblivious to jurisdictional law enforcement boundaries or worse yet, use them to their advantage,” Clay County Sheriff Mark Buchanan said.
“This case illustrates just how important it is for us to maintain solid working relationships with our law enforcement partners in surrounding jurisdictions in North Carolina as well as the State of Georgia.”
Details: Call the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at 828-837-2589. Submit tips by calling 828-837-1344 or emailing crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.