Woman caught trying to smuggle drugs into Lee County jail

Nancy McCleary, The Sanford Herald, N.C.
·1 min read

Apr. 26—A Carthage woman who was arrested Tuesday on a probation violation was allegedly caught trying to smuggle drugs in the jail as she was being processed, according to the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

Kristin Nicole Barker, 29, of the 100 block of Spring Lane, Carthage, was one of two women taken into custody after narcotics agents stopped their vehicle on Edwards Road, near the Harnett County line, Sheriff Brian Estes said in a news release.

The second woman, Amanda Louise Varner, 36, of the 8400 block of Sheriff Watson Road, Sanford, was driving the vehicle.

While searching the vehicle, narcotics agents found methamphetamine and a stolen handgun, Estes said.

Barker was arrested on an outstanding misdemeanor probation violation. She also was charged with felony offenses of possessing a controlled substance with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver, possessing a controlled substance on jail premises and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Varner was charged with felony offenses of charges of possessing methamphetamine, possessing a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and a misdemeanor charge of possessing drug paraphernalia.

Barker remained in the Lee County Jail on Thursday with bail set at $25,000 for the probation violation and $10,000 for the drug offenses, Estes said.

Varner apparently posted her $35,000 bail since she was not listed as an inmate in the jail on Thursday.