An operation led by the Union County Sheriff's Office (UCSO) in Monroe, North Carolina resulted in the intercept of a substantial haul of drugs, weapons, and cash, along with two arrests, last week. Detailed in a social media post from the UCSO, the bust was part of an interdiction operation by deputies and detectives from their S.H.I.E.L.D. Unit and Narcotics Investigations Bureau.
The operation originally kicked off following a traffic stop of a truck driven by 46-year-old Phillip Blount, who was found having an outstanding arrest warrant for an unrelated offense. During a search of his person, deputies located over 50 grams of methamphetamine. Believing Blount to be a significant supplier of narcotics, law enforcement obtained and executed a search warrant at his residence which yielded more illicit substances.
The search culminated with the seizure of over 6.5 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 5.5 pounds of marijuana, around 2 pounds of pressed pills, over 200 grams of cocaine, and in excess of 360 grams of illicit mushrooms. The UCSO also recovered 18 grams of MDMA (ecstasy), a trace of fentanyl, and four pistols—one reported stolen. Additionally, over $66,000 in cash, suspected proceeds of drug sales, was confiscated.
During the same search, 44-year-old Jessica Diehl was found and identified as a second narcotics trafficker connected to the location. Taken into custody at the scene, both Blount and Diehl now face multiple felony narcotics and firearms offenses. Blount's bond stands at $2,000,000.00 and Diehl's at $1,000,000.00 as they remain in custody at the Union County Detention Center.
With a resolve to safeguard their community, the UCSO has maintained an active front against the distribution of deadly narcotics. "Anyone with additional information related to this case is urged to contact the Union County Sheriff’s Office," or tip off via Union County Crime Stoppers, the UCSO stated.
