Published: May 14, 2008 03:25 pm            

Elderly couple face drug charges

TROY — A man and his wife "operating a drug store in their home" are in custody at the Randolph County Jail after sheriff's officers raided their residence May 2.

Deldon Leach Strider, 74, and Christine Cagle Strider, 65, of 6376 Randall Hurley Road in southern Randolph County, were both charged with multiple counts after a raid of their home turned up nearly 5,000 prescription medications, several thousand lottery tickets, 22 firearms and $3,076 in cash. Estimated street value of the drugs is approximately $30,000.

In a press conference last week, Sheriff Maynard Reid said his department had been getting complaints from neighbors of heavy traffic to the Strider residence. Reid said his officers were able to make an undercover buy before carrying out the raid.

"Young people and old people were seen going in," Reid said of the traffic at the Striders.

Asked where the prescription drugs came from, he said some were likely stolen from drug stores and others might have been from persons who acquired the drugs legitimately but sold them for money or trade.

"Drug diversion is a huge problem now," said Reid. "People go to the doctor and get a prescription so they can sell to others. They go from one pharmacy to another."

Reid said it isn't the fault of doctors or drug stores, who are following professional guidelines in issuing prescriptions and drugs. The problem, he indicated, is with people trying to make illegal money off legal drugs.

"We're glad to be able to stop this operation," said Reid. "The problem is ever increasing. Drug diversion has taken off in the last little while."

Capt. Tim Hasty, who appeared with Reid at the press conference, said he's "heard of kids having pill parties. They get pills from their parents or grandparents" and take the medications to parties. Then the pills are dumped into a bowl and participants reach in for a pill and consume it.

"I want to know where all those pills came from," Hasty said. "This investigation is ongoing."

When asked where the lottery tickets came from, Reid said Mr. Strider wouldn't tell. However, Reid stressed that they were not N.C. Education Lottery tickets but printed illegally.

"Mr. Strider has a criminal history," said Reid. "He was once in bootlegging and has taken up the drug business. They're looking at serving a bunch of time."

Deldon Strider is charged with one count each of trafficking in amphetamine, trafficking in opium/heroin, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver Schedule II controlled substance, simple possession of Schedule II, possession of lottery tickets, possess stolen firearm and possession of firearm by felon, and two counts each of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver Schedule IV controlled substance and felony possession of Schedule IV. He is in custody under a $1,250,000 secured bond.

Christine Strider is charged with one count each of trafficking in amphetamine, trafficking in opium/heroin, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver Schedule II controlled substance and simple possession of Schedule II, and two counts each of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver Schedule IV controlled substance and felony possession of Schedule IV. She is incarcerated under a $1 million secured bond.

        

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