Wayne Authorities Target 'Smurfs'

Goldsboro, N.C. — Six people have been charged in an investigation targeting manufacturers of methamphetamine, and more arrests are expected, authorities said Friday.

In Operation Pop-a-Smurf, the drug squad of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office checked the logs of area pharmacies for six months to determine who was buying large amounts of pseudo-ephedrine, a key ingredient in many cold medications as well as methamphetamine.

People who go from store to store to purchase cold medications for use in methamphetamine production are known on the street as "smurfs."

The following people have been charged with possession of precursor chemicals: Willie Dean Lancaster, 22, of 113 Nancy Drive in Goldsboro; Gregory Scott Radford, 37, of 232 N.C. Highway 581 South in Goldsboro; James Corey West, 28, of 224 Southern Mobile Drive in Dudley; Holly Carroll Sutton, 23, of 183 Mobile Circle in Dudley; and William Jeremy Alexander, 25, of 607 Thine St. in Goldsboro.

Radford also was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine. Wendy Tucker Moore, 48, of 110 S. Alleghney Place in Dudley, was charged with violation of pseudo-ephedrine limits.

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Latest Comments

Anybody that uses enough "meth" can turn blue and be a Smurf.

Just Not Right
January 25, 2008 6:33 p.m.

Oldrebel: I always wondered why Smurfette had breasts when everyone knows that baby smurfs are delivered once in a blue moon and not actually birthed and in need of weaning.

wralfan
January 25, 2008 3:52 p.m.

The term "smurf" or "smurfing" in this context gets its connotation from the many, similar small-quantity legal purchases of cold medicines, etc. made by the many, similarly-cranked meth users trying to get their smaller purchases transacted without notice as opposed to buying cases of cold meds like they used to do.

Like the "Smurfs" who were small, similarly looking persons who tried to frolic about doing their daily business sight unseen.

wralfan
January 25, 2008 3:49 p.m.

Haven't these people learned yet to order their illicit ingredients off the internet like everyone else?

wralfan
January 25, 2008 3:37 p.m.

Do smurfs have genatalia? All they wear are those shirts and hats. Seems kind of carefree enviroment but not likely to get you in a better restaurants and book stores.