'Pill Press' found during arrest of 2 North Carolina fentanyl traffickers, deputies say
Two fentanyl traffickers were arrested during the early stages of manufacturing "street pressed" pills in North Carolina, deputies said.
Late last month, the Union County Sheriff's Office arrested Hateem Jaabar, 25, and Aleigha Pendry, 27, of Monroe, North Carolina, during a USCO narcotics investigation. Detectives believed distribution was set up inside the suspect's home in the presence of children.
After getting a search warrant for Pendry's home, deputies found large amounts of drugs, stolen goods, and a stolen firearm. A "pill press" was also found, which made deputies believe Jaabar and Pendry were in the early stages of manufacturing "street pressed" pills containing fentanyl, detectives said.
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Jaabar and Pendry were both arrested and taken to the Union County Detention Center, where they both remain, officials say.
Jaaber was charged with the following:
- Four counts of trafficking in opium/heroin
- Trafficking in cocaine
- Possession of firearm by felon
- Possession of stolen firearm
- Possession of stolen goods
- Alter or removal of serial number on a firearm
- Maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substances
- Possession of schedule I controlled substance
- Possession of marijuana up to ½ ounce
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Child abuse
Jaaber's bond was set for $2.5 million.
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Pendry was charged with the following:
- Two counts of trafficking in opium/heroin
- Trafficking in cocaine
- Possession of stolen firearm
- Possession of stolen goods
- Maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substances
- Possession of schedule I controlled substance
- Possession of marijuana up to ½ ounce
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Child abuse
Pendry's bond was set for $1 million.