HAMLET — A man and woman are facing misdemeanor and felony drug charges for allegedly distributing meth.
Investigators with the Hamlet Police Department said in a Facebook post Thursday morning that detectives had received information that a couple was packaging and selling methamphetamine.
Detectives reportedly conducted surveillance during the investigation before applying for a search warrant, which was served Wednesday at a home on Wilmington Street, near Piggly Wiggly.
Investigators reportedly seized 30.5 grams of meth, three sets of digital scales, more than 20 smoking pipes, small baggies, empty pill containers, hard drives and USB drives, and $700 in currency.
Police say there were also children in the home, both over the age of 10.
Police interviewed the residents, 45-year-old Kristin Robinette Knight (who has an alias as Kristen Robin Knight) and 50-year-old David Clayton Pierce, and charged each with: possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine; maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance; possession of drug parphernalia; and misdemeanor child abuse.
Each was given a $5,000 secured bond and later released.
The case is still under investigation and more charges may be pending, police said. The Richmond County Department of Social Services was also notified and the children were placed with family members.
Online records show Pierce has several pending traffic infractions.
Records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction show Pierce was twice convicted on meth related charges.
In 2008, he was convicted of possession of a precursor with intent to manufacture. Eight years later he was convicted of possession or distribution of a meth precursor. Pierce was given probation in both cases.
Knight was first convicted in 1993 on four counts of breaking and entering vending machines, records show. She was also convicted in 2008 of possession or distribution of a precursor for a controlled substance. Knight received probation in both cases.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
