The narcotics division of the sheriff's office started Operation Bullseye last August to conduct controlled buys of marijuana, powdered and crack cocaine, heroin and prescription medication, the sheriff said in a statement.
The operation, which last several months, saw marijuana being purchased the most.
The operation began through citizen complaints of drugs sales throughout the county and with the assistance of the task force arrests were made in the last two days.
The following were arrested:
Clarence Edward Jones, 61, of Weldon, for two counts each of possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, sell marijuana, and deliver marijuana. Jones was given a $10,000 secured bond.
Eugine Williams, 44, of Scotland Neck, for possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, sell marijuana, and deliver marijuana. Williams was given a $5,000 secured bond.
Matthew Lewis Simms, 22, of Enfield for possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, sell marijuana, and deliver marijuana.
During the arrest of Simms, agents located a small caliber handgun, 20 bindles of heroin, and marijuana.
Simms, who is a convicted felon, was also charged with possession of a firearm by felon, possession with intent to manufacture sell and deliver heroin, possession of heroin, possess less than a half-ounce of marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance at jail. Simms was given a $48,000 secured bond.
Jones, Williams and Simms all have July 22 court dates.
The task force, which was formed in January, will continue to investigate the Bullseye cases, Tripp said, noting several cases have been made within the city limits of Roanoke Rapids where more arrests are pending.
The sheriff's office targeted street level dealers as they often lead to bigger busts, Tripp said this afternoon. “Street level gave us Operation Rockfish. As long as drugs are against the law we're going to battle them at the street, state and federal level. Some of these will be going federal because of their past drug record.”
