Married couple arrested after 80 grams of meth, heroin found in pillow

Other charges involve firearms, other drugs

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A married couple was arrested in Sumter on drug charges recently after an incident that involved reports of a firearm being pointed at a neighbor led to the discovery of 80 grams of methamphetamine and heroin in a pillow.

On May 8, a deputy responded to a residence on Confederate Road after receiving a call about Shelby Ryan West, 32, reportedly pointing a firearm at a neighbor during an argument that afternoon.

While conducting a search for the firearm, a deputy spotted what appeared to be heroin on the dresser in the master bedroom.

Body camera footage captured an image of the substance before 33-year-old Meredith Sloan West, Shelby West's wife, entered the bedroom and wiped most of the substance onto the floor.

The deputy stopped the initial search after finding the suspected drug and called a narcotics investigator to execute a search warrant.

During the second search, Meredith West attempted to hide a pillow reportedly containing more than 80 grams of drugs by taking it with her as she moved to the opposite side of the couch while a deputy searched the cushions, according to an incident report. She later handed the pillow to a deputy when asked if there was anything else investigators should know about.

The pillow contained multiple clear bags that held approximately 75 grams of methamphetamine and 8.5 grams of a brown powder thought to be heroin.

The search also yielded approximately .5 more grams of suspected heroin, a black .45-caliber American Tactical C45 handgun, a spoon, pipe and other drug paraphernalia and a digital scale.

Both suspects are charged with trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking heroin and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Shelby West is also charged with violating parole and third-degree domestic violence. Bond was denied on all charges, and he remains at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.

Meredith West was given a $5,000 bond for possession of a weapon during a violent crime, a $10,000 bond for trafficking methamphetamine and a $10,000 bond for trafficking heroin. She has since been released from jail.