Asheville -- July 28, 2026: An afternoon crime prevention operation led to the arrest of a wanted woman on multiple felony drug and firearm charges on Sunday, July 26.
Asheville Police Department officers were conducting crime prevention measures around 4:46 p.m. when they initiated a traffic stop at the Charlotte Street exit along I-240 East. Officers made contact with 29-year-old Tyriana Jakira Smith, who had an outstanding felony warrant.
During the stop, officers searched the vehicle and recovered contraband, cash, and a firearm. Smith was taken into custody without incident.
According to APD, officers seized the following items at the scene:
Glock 30S handgun
53 dosage units (20 grams) of MDMA
$4,483.60 in U.S. currency
Smith was charged with:
Felony Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver a Schedule I Controlled Substance
Felony Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for a Controlled Substance
Felony Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance
Misdemeanor Carrying a Concealed Gun
Outstanding Warrant: Felony Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for a Controlled Substance
Following her arrest, Smith was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $5,000 secured bond issued by a magistrate.
Local authorities encourage anyone with information regarding illegal drug or firearm activity to contact the Asheville Police Department at (828) 252-1110. Anonymous tips can also be submitted using the TIP2APD smartphone application or by texting "TIP2APD" to 847411. For more local news and daily updates across Western North Carolina, check in with wnctimes.