YANCEY COUNTY, NC — A California resident posing as a Hurricane Helene recovery volunteer was arrested in the Pensacola community on Sunday and charged with trafficking cocaine, authorities said.
The Yancey County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Kelly Daly. Deputies discovered nearly one kilogram of cocaine, leading to charges of trafficking and possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and distribute the drug.
Daly had reportedly been in the area under the pretense of assisting with recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. Sheriff Shane Hilliard addressed the arrest, urging the community to exercise caution when dealing with volunteers.
“While most volunteers are here to genuinely help our community recover, there are unfortunately individuals and groups who do not have our best interests at heart,” Sheriff Hilliard said. “I urge residents to thoroughly vet organizations and individuals offering assistance.”
Authorities recommend working with established nonprofit organizations, particularly those with verified 501(c)(3) status, to ensure the safety and integrity of recovery efforts.
A volunteer in Yancey County was arrested for trafficking nearly a kilogram of cocaine while claiming to aid hurricane recovery efforts.