Chief Chuck Hasty said fentanyl is a synthetic form of heroin. “They’re cutting the heroin with fentanyl which makes it more dangerous.”

Officers seized 28 grams, Hasty said. “That’s a large amount of fentanyl for this area and we will be working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their guidance and possible adoption.”

Hasty described the three people arrested as associates and one of them, Terry Louis Kearney Jr., as a reputed mid-level drug dealer.

The arrests and fentanyl seizure came after the police department received information on drug activity and Master Officer Jamie Hardy, Sergeant Mike Moseley and Officer S. Blythe followed up.

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They encountered three people in the yard — Kearney, Jamazia Shykeim Tillery and Kenneth Antwan Powell.

Narcotics and paraphernalia were found during the interaction, Hasty said in a statement.

The three face the following charges:

Kearney, 22, of Roanoke Rapids, for trafficking schedule I, possession with intent to sell/deliver schedule I, maintaining a vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia and conspiracy.

He received a $15,000 bond and May 2 court date.

Tillery, 18, of Roanoke Rapids, for possession with intent to sell/deliver schedule I, possession of drug paraphernalia and conspiracy.

Tillery also received a $15,000 bond and May 2 court date.

Powell, 24, of Gaston for possession with intent to sell/deliver schedule I, possession of drug paraphernalia and conspiracy.

Powell received a $25,000 bond and May 2 court date.

Powell also has an April 23 court date in Northampton County for communicating threats and second-degree trespassing.