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Sheriff’s drug dog sniffs out marijuana in stopped vehicle
By Lynn Hotaling
A routine traffic stop resulted in the Saturday seizure of drugs valued at some $30,000.
Deputy Scotty Holder, who is also the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office’s canine officer, stopped a Chevrolet pickup near on U.S. 74 near Exit 81 (Dillsboro) at around 12:23 a.m. Jan. 28. He pulled the vehicle over after he noticed erratic driving on the part of its operator, Monica Porter Hamilton, 52, of Sylva, said Capt. Steve Lillard of the Sheriff’s Office.
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Monica Hamilton
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Val Hamilton
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After speaking with the occupants, Holder and the department’s drug dog, Sonja, walked around the vehicle. Sonja alerted Holder to the likely presence of drugs inside the vehicle, Lillard said.
A comprehensive search yielded more than 15 pounds of marijuana, Lillard said.
Both Hamilton and the car’s passenger, Val Gene Hamilton Sr., also 52, of Cherokee, were arrested on drug-related charges, Lillard said.
In addition to the marijuana, officers seized $1,500 in cash, Lillard said. He estimated the street value of the marijuana at $30,000.
More than 15 pounds of marijuana with a street value of some $30,000 and $1,500 in cash was seized by Deputy Scotty Holder, canine officer with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, after drug-dog Sonja alerted him to the possible presence of drugs in the pickup he stopped for erratic driving. Arrested as a result were Val Gene Hamilton Sr., 52, of Cherokee and Monica Porter Hamilton, also 52 of Sylva. Both face six drug-related charges. Monica Hamilton is free on a $20,000 bond while Val Hamilton remains in jail in lieu of a $20,000 bond, according to Capt. Steve Lillard of the Sheriff’s Office.
Both Hamiltons are charged with maintaining a vehicle for the use of a controlled substance, felony possession of marijuana, conspiracy to traffic marijuana, trafficking in marijuana, possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Monica Hamilton was released on a $20,000 bond; as of Monday, Val Hamilton remained in jail in lieu of a $20,000 bond, Lillard said.
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