This news item expired on Friday, October 10, 2014 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
The Buncombe Co. Sheriff’s Office would like to release details of two recent separate investigations concerning illegal narcotics.
On September 12, 2014 deputies with the Sheriff’s Office responded to assist West Buncombe Fire Department personnel with a report of a structure fire at 24 High Oaks Drive in west Buncombe County. Once at the residence the deputies suspected that the resident in the mobile home, Kelly Shirlynn Portch, was actively producing methamphetamine. Agents with the Buncombe Co. Anti-Crime Task Force (BCAT) along with agents with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) where then contacted and began an investigation. Those agents confirmed that Portch possessed an active lab and was actively producing methamphetamine.
As a result of the investigation Portch was arrested on September 13, 2014 and charged with the following offenses:
Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Possession of an Immediate Precursor Chemical with Intent to Manufacture a Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substances, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Additional charges may be forthcoming pending laboratory results.
The Buncombe Co. Sheriff’s Office would like to lend thanks to the West Buncombe Fire Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for their assistance in this investigation.
On September 16, 2014 agents with the Buncombe Co. Anti-Crime Task Force conducted a follow up investigation in regards to the manufacture of marijuana at a residence located at 31 Paint Horse Drive in the Alexander community of Buncombe County. Through the investigation agents developed probable cause, applied for, and received a search warrant to search that residence for evidence of the manufacture of marijuana. Once the search warrant was executed agents discovered one hundred fifty-one (151) marijuana plants and eight (8) plus pounds of processed marijuana with a total street value of in excess of $400,000 dollars. In addition agents discovered felony amounts of illegally possessed pharmaceuticals. Agents have charged the occupant of the residence, Eric Matthew Berry, with the following offenses:
Felony Possession of a Schedule II Drug, Felony Possession of a Schedule IV Drug, Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver a Schedule VI Drug, Trafficking in Marijuana by Possession, Trafficking in Marijuana by Manufacture, Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Berry is still wanted with extradition authorized throughout the United States. Berry is believed to be operating a tan in color 2004 Chevrolet Colorado pick-up truck displaying N.C. registration plate BKF-4059. Anyone with information about Berry’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office at (828) 250-6670 or Crimestoppers at (828) 250-5050.