Three Raleigh men, including one currently on federal probation, face trafficking charges following a traffic stop by the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office and the Halifax Regional Drug and Gang Task Force Monday night on Interstate 95.

Major Anzell Harris of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said the stop occurred at the 168 mile marker around 9:45 p.m. and resulted in the arrests of Kavon Willis, 29; Justus Williams, 21; and Tyrone McNeese, 35.

While interacting with the occupants, agents developed probable cause to search the vehicle. Using an instrument that helps detect hidden contraband, agents located packages of suspected illegal narcotics hidden behind body panels in the vehicle. 

Agents seized 1,553 grams of suspected marijuana and 1,050 bindles — 21 bricks — of suspected heroin.

The three face the following charges:

McNeese: Two counts of trafficking opium, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver heroin, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule VI, felony possession of schedule VI, and felony maintaining a vehicle. Bond was set at $1 million and according to eCourts records his bond had not been modified following a first appearance this morning.

McNeese, according to federal court records, had been sentenced in Raleigh to count four of his indictment for 54 months followed by three years of supervised release on July 11 of 2022.

In November of 2021 he had been charged in a four-count federal indictment. The first three counts were dismissed upon sentencing.

McNeese was released from federal custody on December 17 of last year but his federal probation officer noted that on April 11 a violation report was filed advising of Oxycodone and Oxymorphone use. A verbal reprimand was issued, and the defendant was referred for a substance abuse assessment, which resulted in a psychiatric evaluation.

Following that a second violation report was filed advising of marijuana use. 

On June 9 McNeese tested positive for marijuana. “Although the defendant initially denied any further drug use, he eventually admitted to smoking marijuana after the death of his grandmother,” the probation officer wrote.

He was referred for medication monitoring and a verbal reprimand was issued. “As a

further sanction for his continued drug use, a 16-hour community service sanction is also recommended,” the letter said.

Willis: Two counts of trafficking opium, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver heroin, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule VI, felony possession of schedule VI, felony maintaining a vehicle, and failure to maintain lane control. Bond was set at $600,000 and there had been no modification recorded in eCourts following his first appearance this morning.

Williams: Two counts of trafficking opium, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver heroin, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule VI, and felony possession of schedule VI. Williams was jailed without the opportunity for bond and as of this report had not had a bond modification following a first appearance today.

Their next district court appearance is August 27.

Agents were assisted by the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office Evidence Technician.