ASHEVILLE, NC (828newsNOW) –– Asheville Police Department arrested two felons on gun and drug charges Tuesday afternoon in west Asheville.

At approximately 5 p.m. on April 15, detectives followed up on community complaints of illegal drug activity.

APD made contact with suspects Heath Thomas C. Rice, 45, and Lorena Mack Rice, 56, without incident.

A search warrant led to the recovery of drugs and three firearms, two of which were stolen.

Rice was charged with the following:

  • Trafficking opium or heroin
  • Possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver Schedule II
  • Maintain vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substance
  • Maintain vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substance within 1000 ft of park
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Possess stolen firearm x2
  • Possession of firearm by felon

Rice was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under no bond.

Rice was charged with the following:

  • Trafficking opium or heroin
  • Possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver Schedule II
  • Maintain vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substance
  • Maintain vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substance within 1000 ft of park
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Possess stolen firearm x2
  • Possession of firearm by felon

Rice was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $225,000 secured bond.

APD also seized the following:

  • 9mm Taurus G2C
  • 9mm Sig Sauer P365 (stolen)
  • 9mm Kimber R7 Mako (stolen)
  • 56.43g of fentanyl
  • 21.3g of methadone

If you have any information about drug or gun activity, please contact APD at (828) 252-1110. You can also send an anonymous tip by texting “TIP2APD” to 847411 or using the APD app.