Tyler Jacinta Riveria
Bryson City – A Robbinsville woman was arrested last week in Swain County as part of a law-enforcement operation regarding drug trafficking in fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Tyler Jacinta Riveria, 29, was taken into custody along with Taylor Norman Taylor, 25, of Cherokee, at Bryson City's Relax Inn off U.S. 19 on July 17. Officers seized about 67.9 grams of fentanyl and 1 gram of methamphetamine during the arrest.
A release from the Swain County Sheriff's Office said both Riveria and Taylor were each charged with the following:
* trafficking fentanyl by possession;
* trafficking fentanyl by manufacturing;
* conspiracy to sell/deliver fentanyl;
* felony possession of methamphetamine.
“This case highlights the power of interagency cooperation in combating the opioid crisis that continues to affect our communities," Interim Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland said. "The amount of fentanyl seized could have caused untold harm. We are grateful for the dedication and professionalism of all the agencies involved."
The office worked alongside the Bryson City Police Department, Cherokee Indian Police Department, Cherokee Probation, Waynesville Police Department, and members of both the ATF and DEA task forces in the operation.