Large Drug Bust by Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputies

Cherokee -- December 6, 2023: The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office wrapped up a year-long investigation on Monday,   which resulted in the confiscation of numerous firearms and drugs.

When the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office discovered that John Barriero's driver's license had been suspended, they attempted to pull over his car near Murphy, North Carolina on December 4, 2023.

After the stop was made, Barriero fled and threw several things from the car, including cocaine and guns. A car chase started and concluded on Texana Road. With help from the Murphy Police Department, the objects that Barriero had thrown were found. 

The Cherokee County Sherrif's Office social media post in part:

Barriero was found to be in possession of 37 grams of cocaine, 340 grams of methamphetamine, 93 grams of marijuana, 21 grams of fentanyl, and over $7,000 cash on the scene.

A search warrant was then issued for the Cherokee County residence Barriero shared with Enerjai Pendleton in the Ranger area. There, approximately 516 grams of meth, 115 grams of fentanyl, 181 grams of cocaine, over 800 ecstasy pills, 5 pounds of marijuana, 15 firearms, and multiple items of drug paraphernalia were found and seized.

Barriero is currently confined under a $2,360,000.00 secured bond for the following offenses:
• Three counts of Trafficking Methamphetamine
• Three counts of Trafficking in Opium
• Three counts of Trafficking in Cocaine
• One count of Trafficking in MDM
• Two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted felon
• Two counts of Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
• Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, Deliver Schedule VI Controlled Substance
• Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance MDMA
• Felony Flee/Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle
• Reckless driving
• Driving While License Revoked
• Felony Maintaining a Dwelling for the Keeping of Controlled Substances

Pendleton is currently confined under a $800,000.00 secured bond for the following offenses:
• Trafficking in Opium
• Trafficking in Methamphetamine
• Trafficking in Cocaine
• Trafficking in MDM
• Two counts of Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
• Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, Deliver Cocaine
• Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, Deliver MDMA
• Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, Deliver Schedule VI Controlled Substance
• Felony Maintaining a Dwelling for the Keeping of Controlled Substances

All suspects are to be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

WNCTimes