FROM STAFF REPORTS

Two women face felony drug charges after Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a grocery store after receiving a report of possible drug activity.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrests of Heather Renee Crawley, 39, of Keisler Dairy Road, Conover, and Sarah Angela Louise Rash, 34, of Alpine Circle, Statesville, in a news release Friday afternoon.

ICSO deputies responded to a call regarding two women in the parking lot of Food Lion on Old Mountain Road on December 22, Campbell said.

Concerned individuals observed behavior that suggested the women might be under the influence and called for law enforcement assistance to ensure their well-being, according to the news release.

When deputies arrived, they made contact with Crawley and Rash, who were inside the vehicle along with an infant who was in a car seat in the back of the vehicle, Campbell said.

The deputies observed drug paraphernalia in the vehicle and then conducted a search, which revealed the presence of fentanyl, according to the news release. To ensure the safety of the infant, deputies immediately removed the child from the scene due to the significant dangers posed by the drug, Campbell said.

Deputies seized approximately 9.43 grams of fentanyl and additional schedule IV narcotics in the possession of Crawley, according to the news release. Rash was in possession of approximately 0.4 grams of fentanyl, the sheriff said.

Both women were arrested and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center.

Crawley was charged with Felony Trafficking Opium, Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance, Felony Maintaining Vehicle or Dwelling for Controlled Substance, three misdemeanor drug offenses and misdemeanor child abuse.

Magistrate Thompson set her bond at $350,000.

Rash was charged with Felony Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance and a misdemeanor drug offense. Her bond was set at $7,500 by Magistrate Thompson.

Campbell said the incident underscores the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office’s commitment to addressing drug-related offenses and ensuring the safety of vulnerable individuals, especially children.