Woman arrested during drug trafficking investigation in Cherokee County

Ashli Shawnai Roberts | Courtesy: Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office

CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. (WDEF) — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) have concluded a drug trafficking investigation after a woman has been arrested in relation to an investigation of fentanyl distribution in Cherokee County.

The two-month investigation was brought to a close on October 16, 2025 when law enforcement identified the distributor as Ashli Shawnai Roberts of Murphy, N.C.

The CCSO had received information that she was travelling back to Murphy from Atlanta, carrying a large quantity of fentanyl.

With help from the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, Roberts was located when a vehicle stop was conducted in Blue Ridge, Ga.

During the stop, the vehicle was discovered to contain a trafficking amount of fentanyl, which Roberts later admitted to possessing.

She also admitted to being responsible for the sale of fentanyl in Cherokee County, which investigators tied to multiple overdose incidents.

“We express our appreciation to Fannin County Sheriff’s Office for their continued support and the teamwork that it takes to combat the drug problems within our communities.”

– Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office

Roberts is being held in the Fannin County Detention Center without bond for drug trafficking charges.