By Elisabeth Strillacci

SALISBURY — The sheriff’s office has put a stop to an attempt to smuggle drugs into the Rowan County Detention Center, according to information released Thursday.

On April 1, a package was found near the back entry to the detention center that aroused detention officers’ suspicion. When they opened the package, they found Suboxone strips and tablets along with tobacco products.

Detention officers were joined by detectives with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in conducting a full investigation and they were able to identify inmate Justin Ray Webster as a central figure in the smuggling attempt.

Further investigation by SIU revealed that Amber Purser, Joseph Montgomery and James Webster (Justin Webster’s father) all conspired with each other to smuggle the narcotics and tobacco into the facility for distribution among inmates.

All four individuals were charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. Justin Ray Webster, Amber Purser and Joseph Montgomery received $2,500 secured bonds. James Webster was issued a $20,000 secured bond, due in part to an associated probation violation.

Additionally, a fifth individual — an employee contracted through the detention center’s food service provider, was found to have accepted funds from inmate Justin Webster in exchange for introducing tobacco products into the facility. This employee was immediately terminated and there may be charges in the future, at which time they will be identified.

This case remains under active investigation.