HAMLET — A man and woman are facing multiple drug charges, including meth trafficking, following an investigation in Hamlet.
According to the Hamlet Police Department, officers found and seized:
- an unspecified quantity of clonazepam (Klonopin)
- 221 grams (7.79 ounces) of marijuana
- 69.5 grams (2.45 ounces) of methamphetamine
- a scoped AR-15 rifle
- a Glock 9mm handgun
- an unspecified amount of U.S. currency
- an unspecified array of drug paraphernalia
Police arrested 38-year-old Andrew Vong Vilay Phouangphrachan and 35-year-old Heather Ann Ridenhour.
Each is charged with: trafficking in methamphetamine; conspiracy to traffick in methamphetamine; possession of methamphetamine; conspiracy to sell or deliver marijuana; felony possession of marijuana; possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana; maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Phouangphrachan has an additional charge of simple possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance.
Both were booked into the Richmond County Jail where they are each being held on a $150,000 secured bond.
Online court records show Phouangphrachan is facing a charge of carrying a concealed gun and several traffic citations.
Phouangphrachan also has pending citations in Montgomery County from 2021, as well as the following criminal charges from 2022: possession of methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine; possession of a half-ounce to ounce and a half of marijuana; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Ridenhour has pending charges in two counties from 2022:
- Richmond – attempt to obtain property by false pretenses, larceny of chose in action
- Stanly – possession of a stolen motor vehicle
Records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction show Phouangphrachan was first convicted in 2001 of possession or purchase of a malt beverage by someone under the age of 21. He was also convicted of driving while impaired in 2017.
Ridenhour appears to have no previous convictions in the state.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
