By BRIANA HARRIS / Staff Writer

PELHAM – Three people were arrested and charged with trafficking meth and possession or use of drug paraphernalia by the Pelham Police Department on Friday, June 30.

Lt. Clay Hammac, commander of the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force, said Terry Riddlesperger, 32, of Adamsville, Grace Worley, 45, of Birmingham, and Joey Smith, 42, of Graysville, were arrested during a patrol investigation by the PPD on U.S. 31.

After making the arrests, Hammac said the PPD turned the case over to the SCDETF.

“This is the result of the Pelham Police Department’s hard work,” Hammac said.

During the investigation, Riddlesperger, Worley and Smith were allegedly found to be in possession of 29.1 grams of methamphetamine. The trafficking weight for methamphetamine begins at 28 grams.

Hammac said testing of the methamphetamine found that it was laced with fentanyl, an opioid that is commonly used as an anesthetic by those in medical professions. It is illegal to possess without a prescription.

Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine. Hammac said fentanyl can be fatal in tiny doses.

“Fentanyl the size of two grains of table salt can be fatal to an adult,” Hammac said.

Multiple small baggies were found during the investigation, which indicates the drugs were intended for sale. Syringes, a digital scale and pipes were also found during the investigation, bringing about the misdemeanor possession or use of drug paraphernalia charges for Riddlesperger, Worley and Smith.

Smith was additionally charged with second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana.

As of Friday, July 7, Riddlesperger and Worley were being held in the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $101,000 each. Smith was being held in the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $102,000.

A preliminary hearing for Riddlesperger is set for Aug. 9 at 8:30 a.m. before District Court Judge Daniel Crowson. Both Smith and Worley’s preliminary hearings are set for Aug. 10 at 8:30 a.m. before Crowson.

Trafficking methamphetamine is a Class A felony punishable upon conviction by 10 years to life in prison and up to $60,000 in fines. Possession or use of drug paraphernalia is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable upon conviction by up to one year in prison and up to $60,000 in fines.