Staff reports

SALISBURY — Rowan authorities charged two people with trafficking heroin that officials say was obtained from Mexican drug suppliers. Officials say the multi-agency investigation let them to a woman and man who are responsible for supplying large amounts of heroin to Rowan County.

Cindy Barnes Dixon, 57, of the 1000 block of North Church Street, was arrested Friday after delivering 27 grams of black tar heroin to a location in southeastern Rowan County. Officials have been investigating Dixon for three years.

Dixon was charged with trafficking heroin by possession and transportation for the incidents on Nove. 18, and trafficking heroin by possession for a related offense on Nov. 15. Dixon was placed in the Rowan County jail under a $250,000 bond.

On Nov. 10, Joey Ray Butler, 40, of the 15200 block of Millingport Road, Locust, was charged by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office following a traffic stop in southeastern Rowan County. He faces trafficking heroin by possession and transportation charges. Butler was placed under a $1 million secured bond.

During the past two weeks, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the Salisbury Police Department, arrested Dixon and Butler, both of whom have long criminal histories for narcotics trafficking in connection with supplying large amounts of heroin to Rowan County.

Rowan officials say information gleaned during the investigation showed that the two had been supplying heroin to Rowan County for years, and at least one overdose death was connected to their distribution. Both individuals face potential sentences ranging from 18.75 years to 23.25 years in prison and a fine of $500,000.

It was determined through the investigation that Dixon was obtaining significant amounts of heroin through Mexican drug suppliers in the Charlotte Metro area and then internally carrying the narcotics to Rowan County, where they were then distributed.

On Friday, investigators arrested Dixon following a delivery and traffic stop and then executed a search warrant at her Salisbury residence. During the search of the residence, investigators discovered 6.5 grams of heroin concealed in a Pillsbury biscuit container and a Ritz Bits container, both with false

Investigators seized almost $6,000 from Dixon’s residence and during a search of her vehicle. They say the street value of the heroin seized during the investigation was $17,000.

Dixon has an extensive criminal history of narcotics-related offenses. In 2005, Dixon was convicted in Cabarrus County Superior Court of felony possession of Schedule I. In 2009, Dixon was convicted in Mecklenburg County Superior Court for selling heroin. In January 2014, Dixon was convicted in Cabarrus County Superior Court for possession of heroin. Dixon also has numerous arrests and convictions for a variety of petty crimes.

Investigators observed Butler meeting with Mexican National drug traffickers in Charlotte and followed him back to Rowan County, where he was stopped in a vehicle.

As the traffic stop occurred, Butler threw out an Oreo package containing three packages of black tar heroin, totaling 49 grams.

Butler also has an extensive criminal history of narcotics-related offenses. In 2000, Butler was convicted in Cabarrus County Superior Court of obtaining controlled substances by fraud/forgery.  In 2006, in Rowan County Superior Court, Butler was convicted of felony possession of Schedule I.  In 2008, in Rowan County Superior Court, Butler was convicted of possessing heroin. Butler also has numerous arrests and convictions for a variety of petty crimes.