Captain A.M. Harris said the criteria for asking the United States Attorney's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to adopt the case is because a gun was discovered in the raid and because of the past criminal record of the man arrested, Erwin Hughes, 40.

Shortly before 9:30 this morning, agents, the Halifax County Sheriff's Office Hazardous Entry and Arrest Team and Weldon Police Department arrived at his residence on Maple Street with a search warrant.

The search warrant, Harris said in a statement, was based on citizen complaints and a two-month investigation by Agent C.A. Parker.

Part of the complaints included heavy traffic moving in and out of the area, Harris said this afternoon.

During the search of the residence, with the assistance of sheriff's office Sergeant M. Brown and his dog, Mallie, agents seized 15.8 grams of crack cocaine, marijuana, a .380 handgun, currency, and several items of drug paraphernalia which included two digital scales, a marijuana grinder and cigars. Parker arrested Hughes for possession of marijuana up to one-half ounce, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with the intent to sell and deliver cocaine, felony possession of cocaine, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Hughes received a $15,000 bond with an August 24 court date. He was also served with an outstanding order for arrest from Northampton County for second-degree trespass. The bond on the OFA was $1,000 and a court date for the charge was set for July 7.

Street Value of the cocaine seized is approximately $940, Harris said in the statement.