Heroin Ring Shut Down By Authorities

 

CREDIT: William F. West/Rocky Mount Telegram

Authorities have recently put a heroin trafficking ring out of business, leaving eight people to receive stiff sentences in North Carolina.

Acting U.S. Attorney Norman Acker, joined by Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone, made the announcement.

"This prosecution resulted in the lowering of crime in this area, in this whole region - and specifically the lowering of violent crime and also the amount of drugs on the streets, specifically heroin."

What was called the Terrence Clyburn drug-trafficking organisation, would've had the heroin shipped from New Jersey to Scotland Neck, North Carolina, and would've distributed it in the Nash, Edgecombe, and Halifax counties.

Clyburn has been reported to have been responsible for trafficking over 22 pounds of heroin - over half a million dosage units - into the eastern part of North Carolina between 2002 and 2017.

During a news conference, Acker read aloud the persons convicted in U.S. District Court and their sentences.

- "Clyburn, 12 years and three months, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 35 ounces or more of heroin and for two counts of possession with the intent to distribute 3 and a half ounces or more of heroin."

- "Patrick Direece Holiday, eight years, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 35 ounces or more of heroin and for possession with the intent to distribute 3 and a half ounces or more of heroin."

- "Tyshawn Rayvon Reams, seven years and four months, for the same charges as Holiday."

- "Charles Lee Wright, five years, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 3 and a half ounces or more of heroin."

- "Tara Finis Simmons, two years and four months, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intents to distribute 35 ounces or more of heroin and a quantity of marijuana and for possession with the intent to distribute 3 and a half ounces or more of heroin and a quantity of marijuana."

- "Herbert Lamont Cherry, three years and 11 months, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 3 and a half ounces or more of heroin."

- "Tony Ray Reams, five years and 11 months, for the same charges as Cherry."

- "Mario Marelle Scott, four years and nine months, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 35 ounces or more of heroin."

It was discovered that Herbert Cherry was the courier that would regularly bring the heroin from Paterson, New Jersey to Scotland Neck, Georgia for the distribution.

Data from 2018 stated that heroin-related drug-poisoning deaths had almost doubled between 2013 and 2016, nationwide.

This has been stated as worse due to the use of fentanyl, which is similar to morphine but more potent and generally used when treating patients with severe pain.

This investigation has revealed useful evidence regarding murders and violent crime that has taken place within the community. 

"Our goal is not to put more people in prison. Our goal is to get the worst of the worst off the street so that the crime rate will go down and the people of the eastern district of North Carolina will be safer."

"We need the public to inform us of what's going on  how these drugs are getting into the community."

"This is a 24-hour-a-day job. It's nonstop. But when you love what we do in trying to keep streets safe and communities safe, this is what we're designed to do."