ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Officers and detectives with the Asheville Police Department arrested four individuals in possession of narcotics at Murray Hill Park on Thursday afternoon following community complaints of drug activity in the area.
Around 2:38 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, the APD joint crime prevention investigation culminated at a Murray Hill Park gazebo, where officers witnessed drug sales and gambling and made contact with Daquan Tirek Verdell Miller, 26, Zachery Demon Pickens, 25, David Robert Smith, 27, and Angela Powell Carpenter, 53.
The suspects were taken into custody without incident. During the arrests, all were found to be in possession of narcotics, while Pickens and Smith were found to be carrying concealed guns.
Seized:
- 4.59 Grams of MDMA
- 33.21 Grams of Crack Cocaine
- 2 9mm Handguns
- Approx $1,600 currency
Miller was charged with:
- Manufacture/sell/deliver/possess controlled substance within 1000 feet of a park
- Felony possession of Schedule VI
- Gambling
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Miller was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $15,000 secured bond issued by a magistrate.
Pickens was charged with:
- Manufacture/sell/deliver/possess controlled substance within 1000 feet of a park – Two counts
- Felony possession of Schedule I
- Felony possession of Schedule II
- Gambling
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Carrying a concealed gun
Pickens was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under no bond by a magistrate due to the Pretrial Integrity Act.
Smith was charged with:
- Manufacture Sell Deliver Possess Controlled Substance within 1000 Ft of a park
- Felony Possession of Schedule II
- Gambling
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Carrying a Concealed Gun
Smith was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $50,000 secured bond issued by a magistrate.
Carpenter was charged with:
- Felony possession Schedule II
- Simple possession Schedule IV
- Misdemeanor larceny
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Carpenter was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $7,000 secured bond issued by a magistrate.
If you have any information about illegal drug or gun activity, you are encouraged to contact APD at (828) 252-1110. You can also send an anonymous tip using the TIP2APD app or by texting “TIP2APD” to 847411.