Trio of Currituck County drug busts nets six arrests

Sam Walker | July 24, 2012

Currituck County sheriff’s deputies have arrested six people over the last two weeks on drug charges, including two traffic stops that netted heroin, and the raid of a business alleged to have been selling illegal bath salts.

Deputies responded to several citizen complaints that Hypnotic Glass in Moyock was selling “bath salts” to underage children and adults, according to a news release.

Narcotics officers on July 18 seized 18 containers of the synthetic drug, each equaling 1 gram, and arrested Thomas Clayton Sawyer, 26, of Norfolk.

Sawyer was charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell and distribute a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A federal law banning the sale of “bath salts” was signed by President Obama earlier this month. The effects of the synthetic drug are similar to cocaine and amphetamines and its use has been linked to suicides.

He was booked into the Currituck Detention Center in lieu of $30,000 bond.

Two separate traffic stops on Friday, July 13 led to the seizure of 316 capsules of heroin and five arrests.

The first came around 6:40 p.m., when narcotics officers stopped a 2002 Mustang on U.S. 158 in Coinjock for a missing license plate, and during the stop discovered 158 capsules of heroin.

Justin R. Snyder, 27, of Grandy was charged with trafficking heroin, conspiring to traffic heroin, maintain place of controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while license revoked.

Snyder was still in custody in lieu of $20,000 bond.

Cicero A. Roland, III, 25, of Manteo was charged with trafficking heroin, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, and was released on a $2,500 bond.

Following the other two arrests, Shelby Tyler Midgett, 27, of Rodanthe, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, and a warrant for his arrest has been issued.

Just after 8 p.m. on July 13, narcotics officers stopped a 1998 Chevrolet truck on U.S. 158 in Powells Point for speeding and found another 158 capsules of heroin inside the vehicle.

Zachary J. Davis, 22, of Wanchese was charged with trafficking heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia, and was released after posting $2,500 bond.

Brandon L. Abbott, 19, also from Wanchese, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernailia, and posted a bond of $2,500 and was released.

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See what people are saying:

Local says:

Really? $2,500 for bail for a heroin charge? When are they going to up the ante on these serious drugs? I’ve seen people with higher bail for marijuana offenses.

on July 24, 2012 @ 10:34 am

Jackie Harris says:

Who was driving the chev. P/U ??? How can one person be boned at 20K for 158 capsules and another at 2,500. for the same amount of capsules?? No wonder the Police Officers are having a hard time stopping the dealers from coming to the OBX!!. Oh I forgot there is not a drug problem on the OBX!.

on July 24, 2012 @ 10:38 am

chaser says:

Rules for running drugs #1 have a license plate on your car, #2 dont speed. Survival of the fittest has never been so true.

on July 24, 2012 @ 2:22 pm

Ekim says:

Why is it that the UNITED STATES uses more ILLEGAL drugs then any country in the WORLD?????

on July 24, 2012 @ 8:12 pm

SinfulChk says:

Chaser… i had same thought… to have 158 capsules of H would (should) be a HUGE red flag to not drive w/o a license plate… he deserves to be busted… idiot

on July 24, 2012 @ 8:51 pm

gangneighbors says:

Hint: Rent a car from out of state and drive within legal speed limits! That seem to be what the drug dealers in my neck of the woods do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

on July 25, 2012 @ 9:59 am

KDH Rezident Evil says:

Glad they intercepted those bath salts. Don’t need any more zombies on the Outer Banks.

on July 25, 2012 @ 2:39 pm

Sue says:

Ekim, probably because they are not LEGAL. You know how things that are more socially acceptable, available, and accessible are usually not as desirable and seem to be cheaper? Well, it would seem that’s part of human nature. People want a thrill and they want more money. Too bad they can’t seem to be thrilled with legitimate work.

on July 25, 2012 @ 7:35 pm

Allan2 says:

Some more unfortunate folks just trying to make ends meet!

on July 26, 2012 @ 9:47 pm

Dawn says:

Bath Salts? Someone please explain to me what the “kids” are doing now? I’m out of the loop I guess. Are we talking about bath salts you use in the tub to relax?

on July 27, 2012 @ 10:02 pm

Russ Lay says:

Bath salts are synthetic (designer) drugs that mimic cocaine or speed. They look like the crystals in traditional bath salts. “Spice” is a synthetic drug than mimics marijuana. When both of these drugs first came out, some states treated them as “legal” until laws could be passed to stop their sale. I am not sure, but “spice” was openly sold in several states for awhile. I believe they are mostly illegal now nationwide, but it’s not a subject I keep up with!

on July 28, 2012 @ 1:52 am

comeon says:

Allan2 says:

Some more unfortunate folks just trying to make ends meet!

give me a break…….

on July 28, 2012 @ 3:39 pm

Allan2 says:

H E Y M A N N, come on now. Don’t you know “spoken in jest”! Too many drug busts on the OBX reflect a high degree of tolerance for illegal substances more so that what I tend to feel exists in society at large. Toss their keister in the can, I say!!!

on July 29, 2012 @ 4:49 pm

smhctuck says:

Ever heard the saying “only God can judge me .”.. not saying these people shouldn’t get some kind of punishment. But, who knows why they did what they did. The economy is bad. Jobs are hard to find. That much had to be trying to make money..our legal system throws drug dealers in prison.but let child molesters, sexual abusers roam free, but hey their registered online you can see where they live…lol doesn’t mean they cant go places… Let’s not pick and choose. Can’t wait to see all the negative feedback from all the hypocrites….

on August 1, 2012 @ 1:30 am

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