Two arrested after law enforcement finds fentanyl during search of residence

On Saturday December 2, 2022, Pamlico County Sheriff’s deputies and Pamlico County EMS responded to a residence in Merritt, NC regarding an unresponsive male. Alex Luis Garcia, 25 of Merritt was pronounced deceased at the residence.

The resulting investigation and autopsy determined that Garcia died as a result of fentanyl toxicity/overdose. The Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Office of District Attorney Scott Thomas conducted the investigation which led to the identification of the distributors of the fentanyl that resulted in the death of Garcia.

Evidence obtained during the led to the arrest of 2 individuals related to the death of Garcia. Markese Deshon Moore 28, of Grantsboro and Kayla Marie Drain 30, of Aurora were arrested and formerly charged with 1 count each of Second-Degree Murder and 1 count each of Death by Distribution on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Both individuals were placed into the Pamlico County Detention Center under a 1,000,000.00 secured bond each and both appeared in Pamlico County District Court Friday May 5, 2023.