Multi-County Drug Bust: Father and Son Arrested with Fentanyl, Meth, and $25,000 in Cash

On 05/20/25 Clay County Lt. Tyler Faggard, Clay County Investigator Steven Smith, Clay County Investigator Nick Queen, Cherokee County Lt. Drew Payne, and Cherokee County Investigator Sean Myers began surveillance activities at the sawmill located at 6950 US Hwy 64 west in Clay County. At 4:45 PM Carlos Dwaine Palmer, 61 years of age from Murphy, was noted to leave the sawmill driving his gold Chevrolet Tahoe. Carlos drove to the United Community Bank in Murphy as well as several other locations.

Carlos was stopped by Cherokee County Officers on Old Tomotla Road near the intersection of Regal Road in Murphy.  

Carlos’ son, Carl Loren Palmer, 36 years of age from Murphy, was found to be a passenger within the Tahoe. Detective Smith’s K-9, Luca, alerted on the Tahoe after which time a probable cause search was conducted on both occupants and the vehicle. A total of $25,000, mostly consisting of banded one-hundred-dollar bills, was located in Carlos’ front pocket. A search of Carl’s person yielded a soft black case inside of his boot that contained approximately 2.4 grams of suspected fentanyl, multiple syringes, and a spoon. A magnetic box was found within the Tahoe that contained suspected methamphetamine as well as fentanyl.

Carlos and Carl were both arrested and transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center. Carlos was already out on a bond and awaiting trial for Conspiracy to Manufacture and Possess 17 kilograms of Methamphetamine. Carlos was charged in Cherokee County with Trafficking in Fentanyl, Felony Maintaining a Vehicle for Drugs, Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Carlos was given a $225,000 secured bond for his release. Carl was charged with two counts of Trafficking Fentanyl, Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Carl was given a $200,000 secured bond for his release.

After dealing with Carl and Carlos, Officers returned to the sawmill on US 64 west in Brasstown to safeguarded an enclosed utility trailer that they knew belonged to Carlos. Investigator Queen applied for and received a search warrant for this trailer. Investigator Queen returned to the sawmill where Clay County Chief Joe Wood had joined the other Officers with this ongoing investigation. A search of the trailer yielded a yellow plastic bag containing multiple baggies of suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine, two sets of digital scales, and more suspected fentanyl tucked up in the roof of the trailer near a vent.

A total 6 grams of suspected methamphetamine and 16.5 grams of suspected fentanyl were seized from this trailer. The trailer and its remaining contents were seized and towed to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office’s impound lot. As a result of the search of this utility trailer, Carlos was also charged in Clay County with Trafficking in Fentanyl, Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, and Felony Maintaining a Vehicle or Place for Drugs.

This is just another example of how those involved in the trafficking of illegal drugs are oblivious to jurisdictional law enforcement boundaries or worse yet, use them to their advantage. This case illustrates just how important it is for us to maintain solid working relationships with our law enforcement partners in surrounding jurisdictions in North Carolina as well as the State of Georgia.

On May 22, 2025 a second search warrant was obtained by the Narcotics Division of Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for property  in Cherokee County related to this investigation. Upon service of the search warrant, Elizabeth Pulaski and Maribel Estremera were present at the property. Several more grams of fentanyl were seized and both Pulaski and Estremera were arrested.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.