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Six people from northwestern North Carolina have been charged with conspiracy to manufacture, possession and intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Three men and three women are in federal custody in Alleghany and Ashe counties, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Anne Tompkins.
Authorities believe the suspects conspired to make and distribute meth between January and December of 2011. Each suspect was also charged with possession of pseudephedrine, which is a substance used to make meth.
Arrested were: James Derek Cardwell, 31, of Piney Creek; Jackie Cornelius McDowell, 48, of Ennice; Christopher Michael Piasta, 38, of Sparta; Tasha Nicole Piasta, 22, of Sparta; Austion Rea Cardwell, 29, of Piney Creek; and Kimberly Dawn Vasquez, 29, of Sparta.
If found guilty of the conspiracy drug charges, the suspects face a minimum of 10 years in prison, the release said.
