Task force Captain A.M. Harris said agents believe Nijen Alfredo Stephens, 35, rented the house in the 800 block of Zoo Road North to sell drugs from.

Harris said whether he sublet the house to other drug dealers is a matter which remains under investigation. He said Stephens was “very familiar” with the people who have been arrested at the house in previous operations.

In a statement released today, Agent D.R. Radford said Stephens released the keys on November 8, the day of the second search warrant execution at the house. He had also removed furniture from the residence.

The rental agreement between the property owner and Stephens began on October 12 and stipulated if criminal activity or the tenant became a nuisance to the community the tenant would be asked to leave the premises immediately.

On November 14 agents D.W. Mckeel and D.J. Epperson both obtained warrants for the arrest of Stephens for maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for a controlled substance.

During the follow-up investigation agents discovered Stephens rented the property which allowed several known drug dealers in the community to manufacture and sell heroin, cocaine, marijuana and pills from the residence.

Stephens was arrested and served with the warrants by Deputy J. Comeaux on November 31.

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Deer Run Drive

A Roanoke Rapids man and woman were arrested today following execution of a search warrant in the area of Deer Run Drive.

Radford said the search warrant was based on drug complaints.

Agents and members of the patrol division of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the residence around 10 a.m.

As the agents approached the residence the occupants fled out from the back of the house, Radford said in a statement.

Crystal Saner, 28, of Roanoke Rapids, was detained by Sergeant Roy Ball of the sheriff’s office.

A man Radford described as her friend, Travis Johnson, fled to a wooded area and was apprehended a short time later on Radar Circle.

Agents seized one dosage unit of Alprazolam and three dosage units of Oxycodone from Johnson, 41.

During the search of the residence agents seized user amounts of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and drug paraphernalia which included several syringes and sandwich bags.

McKeel arrested and charged Johnson with felony maintain a vehicle/dwelling/place for a controlled substance, felony possession of cocaine, felony possession of heroin, simple possession of schedule IV controlled substances, simple possession of schedule II controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resist/delay/obstruct a public officer. He received a January 3 court date.

Saner was also arrested and served with an outstanding order for arrest for possession of drug paraphernalia and has a January 26 court date.

Radford and his dog Tony, Deputy S. Stansberry, Lieutenant John Bozard with his dog Fino, and Roanoke Rapids Police Master Officer Jamie Hardy with his dog Storm assisted.