Couple hid drug money in baby wipes box, sheriff says | Crime

CALDWELL COUNTY, NC (WBTV) - Sheriff's deputies in Caldwell County have arrested a Hickory couple on drug charges.

Narcotic Agents with the sheriff's office arrested the couple in the Lakeview Park neighborhood when they went to a home to investigate complaints about many vehicles coming and going at 6617 Lakeshore Drive. 

When agents knocked on the door, Jay Franklin King, 22, opened the door. Agents reported smelling a "very strong odor of marijuana" inside the residence, according to a statement from the sheriff's office.

When confronted about the smell, the sheriff's office says King ran back inside the home and locked the door behind him.

Agents then barged into the home and detained King and his girlfriend, 25-year-old Maria Delmar Jimenez Gonzales. 

King and his girlfriend were transported to the sheriff's office while investigators applied for a search warrant for the premise. 

While searching the home, agents found a little less than two pounds of marijuana, more than $5,800 in cash, two firearms, and various drug paraphernalia items. 

The marijuana seized was "high-grade quality buds believed to be from California" with a street value of $5,000.

Agents say the money was hidden in a baby wipes box in the nursery room, and more than $2,000 was in King's shorts. 

No child was found in the home, but DSS has been called to investigate.

King and Gonzales were charged with possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana, and maintaining a dwelling to keep/store a controlled substance. King faces an additional charge for obstructing a police office.

They are being held in the Caldwell County Detention Center. King received a $17,500 secured bond and Gonzales' bond amount was set at $15,000.

Both are scheduled to make a first appearance in district court in Lenoir on July 27.

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