The Braxton Democrat

Braxton Woman Facing Drug Charges in Mon County

A Braxton County woman has been charged in Monongalia County after officers found illegal drugs on her person after they responded to a shoplifting call at their local WalMart.
On Januray 29, officers with the Granville Police Department were dispatched to Walmart on University Town Center drive in Monongalia County to investigate a shoplifting complaint.
According to the criminal complaint, upon arrival, officers met with Kara Martines, 27, of Exchange, in the Walmart Loss Prevention Office. Store employees claimed that Martines had “put on unpaid clothing merchandise,” and then “passed the last point of sale wearing that clothing.” The merchandise had a total value of $22.76.
Officers performed a probable cause search of Martines’ person and belongings in order to locate “further unpaid merchandise.” During that search they discovered a lock box with multiple containers of a white powdery substance, which tested positive as fentanyl. The illegal drug weighing more than 6 grams, according to the complaint.
Martines has been charged with unlawful possession of fentanyl. She was arraigned in Monongalia Magistrate Court. She is being held in North Central Regional Jail on a $25,000 bond awaiting further court proceedings.