Lenoir Man Busted for Pseudoephedrine Transaction Limits

On July 27, 2010, a Lenoir man was arrested for violation of the pseudoephedrine transaction limits (GS 90-113.53) on Townsend Farm Lane in Lenoir.   Roland Edward Gullett, age 35, became the focus of an investigation when his name was flagged in the pseudoephedrine logs at local pharmacies.  By law, pharmacies are required to obtain a valid identification of any person buying ephedrine based products.  The defendant’s name appeared quite frequently in the pharmacy logs which caught the attention of drug agents. 

According to state law, no person shall deliver to any one person, attempt to deliver to any one person, purchase, or attempt to purchase at retail more than two packages containing a combined total of more than 3.6 grams of any pseudoephedrine products per calendar day or purchase at retail more than three packages containing a combined total of more than 9 grams of pseudoephedrine products within any 30-day period.   These limits do not apply if dispensed under a valid prescription. 

The warrant for arrest read that between June 28, 2010 and July 17, 2010, the defendant exceeded those limits in both aspects.  This activity, referred to as “smurfing” commonly occurs when someone is purchasing a lot of ephedrine, a required ingredient for meth labs.   According to court records, Gullet has been convicted of possession of pre-cursor chemicals on 7-6-2004 in Caldwell County Superior Court and manufacture marijuana and maintain a dwelling to keep/store a controlled substance on 7-10-2007 in Caldwell County Superior Court.              

 “We are serious in the fight against meth and we’ll utilize all tools available to us to arrest those who are making it”. – Sheriff Alan C. Jones

The following person was arrested and charged with the listed crime:

Roland Edward Gullett, W/M, age 35
3684 Townsend Farm Lane
Lenoir, NC 28645

• One (1) Count – Exceed Pseudoephedrine Limits

Gullett was incarcerated under a $1,500 secured bond in the Caldwell County Detention Center and has a court appearance in District Court in Lenoir on August 17, 2010.

The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office is always in search of any information involving the use and distribution of illegal controlled substances.  A concerned citizen’s information and assistance will be kept confidential.  If you have any information concerning illegal drug activity in Caldwell County, please contact the:

Caldwell County Sheriff's Office I.C.E. Unit at 828-757-1178.
Lenoir Police Department’s Narcotics Division at 828-757-2145.
Caldwell County Crimestoppers at 828-758-8300.

This site was last updated 07/28/10