By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Rowan investigators say they found a woman wanted since August on cocaine charges hiding in a closet behind a pile of clothes. Quamesha Djonte Sifford was added to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office most wanted list earlier this month. She was found Thursday following an anonymous call as to her whereabouts.

She was initially arrested during a traffic stop July 31, 2015, and charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver cocaine. Sifford was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. Authorities issued an arrest warrant Aug. 30, 2016.

Rowan officials say Sifford, 23, was found at a Knoll View Drive home, contrary to one of the occupant’s insistence that she was not there. Two investigators went to the home and noted the smell of marijuana as soon as they approached.

According to a report, Vinicia Allison answered the door and told the officers she didn’t know a Quamesha Sifford. Allison also said she was not the homeowner and could not give them permission to search the home. When Allison tried to close the door, an officer placed his foot in the door and told her not to shut it. She yelled for the homeowner, who identified himself as Anthony Jones.

Jones told the officers Sifford was not in the house and since they didn’t have a warrant they could not enter. One of the officers asked Jones about the smell of marijuana and he said it didn’t have anything to do with the reason they were there. Jones said the officers were looking for someone who was not there.

The report said Jones became upset because the officer wouldn’t let him close the door. Jones’ wife, Megan, began yelling and was upset the officers were there. The officer informed Megan they were going to enter to secure the home. The officer asked Megan to stand in the living room while he gathered everyone else. Everyone who was inside the house, a total of nine people, was asked to stand in the living room.

When Jones and his wife continued to yell, they were placed in handcuffs and moved outside of the house. Another deputy went to type up a search warrant. The officer told the couple they were just being detained and were not under arrest. Once the two calmed down, they were allowed to return into the house.

Jones eventually gave the officers consent to search the house and signed a form allowing the search.

While searching Vinicia Allison’s room, officers found a burnt spoon covered in white residue, a clear straw with white residue inside and a marijuana grinder lying on the top of a dresser. A deputy found a marijuana bong in a chest beside the dresser. A deputy moved a pile of clothes in front of the closet and saw the top of a gray hooded sweatshirt. He moved the bag and saw Sifford hiding.

She stepped out and was placed in handcuffs. Allison claimed she didn’t know Sifford was inside her closet. Allison told the deputy she didn’t know the woman because she only knew her as Meesha.

Officials contacted Rowan County DSS because there were children present in the home.

Sifford was placed into the Rowan County Detention to wait to be placed in the custody of U.S. Marshals. Warrants were obtained for Allison for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and harboring a fugitive.

Sifford only has a previous conviction for disorderly conduct.