Over the past several months, the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit has received community complaints at a residence located on Butler Loop Road in the Bladenboro area where heroin was suspected of being sold.
On Thursday night, February 20, while conducting surveillance in the area, agents observed a known probation abscond as well as drug sells occurring at the residence. A traffick stop was initiated on a white Chevrolet Blazer driven by Tristan Singeltary of Bladenboro with five occupants.
During the search of the vehicle, amounts of cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine and suspected heroin were found. Five people were arrested and charged with various drug violations and were placed in the Bladen County Detention Center. Listed below are the suspects and charges.
Tristan McRae Singletary, 36, Bladenboro – Maintaining a vehicle to sell a controlled substance, conspiracy to sell and deliver heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia. $250,000 bond.
Robert Diquan Phillips, Jr.,28, Evergreen, NC – Conspiracy to sell and deliver heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, conspiracy to sell and deliver heroin. $351,000 bond.
Zikee Demitrious Thompson, 29, Bladenboro – Possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, conspiracy to sell and deliver heroin, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia. $501,000 bond.
Logan A. Sykes, 23, Bladenboro. – Possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia. $75,000 bond.
Angelia Christine Darby, 33, Bladenboro. – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. $1,000 Bond.
The Sheriff’s Office is gracious for the publics help and assistance in providing information on suspected drug locations. If you have information contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at (910) 874-5238.
Drug addiction is no respecter of persons and according to reports heroin and other drugs are taking Bladen County lives prematurely.
Heroin addiction can be difficult to identify. Dr. Cathy Gantz with the Bladen County Substance Abuse Task Force have BladenOnline information on how to identify heroin use.
If you’re concerned you or a loved one is struggling with heroin addiction, this page outlines the warning signs, symptoms, and causes of this addiction.
Heroin produces a “downer” effect that rapidly induces a state of relaxation and euphoria (related to chemical changes in the pleasure centers of the brain). Like other opiates, heroin use blocks the brain’s ability to perceive pain. Heroin abusers, particularly those with prior history of drug abuse may initially be able to conceal signs and symptoms of their heroin use.
Loved ones or co-workers may notice a number of signs of heroin use, which are visible during and after heroin consumption:
- Shortness of breath
- Dry mouth
- Constricted (small) pupils
- Sudden changes in behavior or actions
- Disorientation
- Cycles of hyper alertness followed by suddenly nodding off
- Droopy appearance, as if extremities are heavy
The above signs are not unique to heroin use. More definitive warning signs of heroin abuse include possession of paraphernalia used to prepare, inject or consume heroin:
- Needles or syringes not used for other medical purposes
- Burned silver spoons
- Aluminum foil or gum wrappers with burn marks
- Missing shoelaces (used as a tie off for injection sites)
- Straws with burn marks
- Small plastic bags, with white powdery residue
- Water pipes or other pipe
Behavioral signs of heroin abuse and addiction include:
- Lying or other deceptive behavior
- Avoiding eye contact, or distant field of vision
- Substantial increases in time spent sleeping
- Increase in slurred, garbled or incoherent speech
- Sudden worsening of performance in school or work, including expulsion or loss of jobs
- Decreasing attention to hygiene and physical appearance
- Loss of motivation and apathy toward future goals
- Withdrawal from friends and family, instead spending time with new friends with no natural tie
- Lack of interest in hobbies and favorite activities
- Repeatedly stealing or borrowing money from loved ones, or unexplained absence of valuables
- Hostile behaviors toward loved ones, including blaming them for withdrawal or broken commitments
- Regular comments indicating a decline in self esteem or worsening body image
- Wearing long pants or long sleeves to hide needle marks, even in very warm weather
Users build tolerance to heroin, leading to increases in the frequency and quantity of heroin consumption. With growing tolerance, more definitive physical symptoms of heroin abuse and addiction emerge:
- Weight loss
- Runny nose (not explained by other illness or medical condition)
- Needle track marks visible on arms
- Infections or abscesses at injection site
- For women, loss of menstrual cycle (amenorrhea)
- Cuts, bruises or scabs from skin picking
For assistance with substance abuse in Bladen County call Eastpointe at 1-800-913-6109.
If you would like to be a part of the Bladen County Substance Abuse Task Force contact Dr. Gantz at 910-872-6256. The task force meets the second Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. at the Bladen County Health Department in Elizabethtown.
Related article:
https://bladencounty.org/suspects-in-felony-heroin-sales-investigation-make-first-appearance-in-bladen-county-court/
https://bladencounty.org/third-death-related-to-substance-abuse-in-bladen-county-in-a-three-month-period/
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