Woman Charged With Trafficking Fentanyl From Georgia Into North Carolina
CHEROKEE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA — A two-month investigation has led to the arrest of a North Carolina woman accused of trafficking fentanyl from Georgia into Cherokee County, authorities said.
According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), Ashli Shawnai Roberts, of Murphy, North Carolina, was arrested after law enforcement traced her alleged involvement in a cross-state drug operation that has been linked to multiple overdose incidents in the region.
Deputies Track Suspect Traveling From Atlanta to Murphy
On October 16, investigators received a tip that Roberts was returning to Murphy from Atlanta, Georgia, carrying a large quantity of fentanyl. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office coordinated with the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia to intercept her vehicle.
Deputies in Fannin County located Roberts near Blue Ridge, Georgia, and conducted a traffic stop. During the search, officers discovered a significant amount of fentanyl hidden in the vehicle, officials confirmed.
Admission and Overdose Connections
Following the stop, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said Roberts admitted to distributing fentanyl in Cherokee County. Investigators have linked her activity to several local overdoses and other drug-related crimes over recent months.
“The investigation uncovered evidence tying Roberts to the sale and supply of fentanyl responsible for multiple overdose incidents,” the CCSO said in a statement.
Authorities emphasized that the case is part of an ongoing effort to address the surge in fentanyl-related deaths in western North Carolina — a growing crisis impacting both urban and rural communities.
Suspect Held Without Bond
Roberts was taken into custody and booked at the Fannin County Detention Center, where she remains without bond. She faces multiple charges, including trafficking fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute.
Officials say additional charges may be filed as the joint investigation between North Carolina and Georgia law enforcement agencies continues.
Fentanyl Crisis Continues to Hit Cherokee County
Cherokee County authorities have seen a sharp rise in fentanyl distribution and overdose emergencies in recent years. Law enforcement agencies continue to urge residents to report suspected drug activity and to remain alert to the dangers of synthetic opioids.
Sheriff’s deputies say public cooperation was crucial in tracking Roberts’ movements and ultimately preventing what could have been another deadly incident.
Anyone with information about drug trafficking in Cherokee County is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office’s narcotics division.
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