Complaints of drug and prostitution activity in south Weldon have led to several arrests following a six-month long investigation.

Lieutenant Chuck Hasty of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office told rrspin.com today the investigation was launched from complaints of women walking the streets and soliciting themselves for money. There were also complaints of drugs being sold in an open air market. “Crack, alcohol. They were looking to get that next fix.”

The activity occurred along Green and Elm streets, the area around Three Flags Grocery known as The Strip and in south Weldon.

Green and Elm, Hasty said, is often called The End of the World, “Because you get to messing with these girls you might not mess with anyone else.”

For now the area is quiet as the undercover operation closed this week with the arrest of the last person Wednesday.

The sheriff’s office narcotics unit and the Kinston Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation based on complaints and tips through Crimestoppers.

In a news release on the matter Hasty said, “We would like to thank the members of the community for helping us with this operation. The tips and complaints that they gave will really help us in court.”

Hasty was also appreciative of the work the officers did on the case. “Because of their hard work we were able to make arrests and get these people off street, even if just for a little while. I would encourage people to form community watches and continue to call Crimestoppers with information on these types of activities.”

Captain Jay Burch of the sheriff’s office also commended the local officers and those from Kinston. “The work and dedication of these agents in these investigations are exemplary and their work is a result of concerned citizens wanting the removal of the drug dealers and prostitutes from the community. We are grateful for their patience and understanding as we work on removing these people from their community.”

Agents Tim Harris, Agent Anzell Harris and Commander Ken Barnes, Officers Jamie Gwaltney and Robbie Braswell of the Kinston Public Safety assisted. “If it were not for the support of officers like them, we would not be able to function as an effective unit.”

Burch encourages citizens to call the sheriff’s office and Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444. “We cannot be very effective without our citizen’s support.”

Arrested were:

• Gloria Jean Harrison, 47, of Weldon: Solicit for prostitution. Harrison was given a $500 bond with a court date of April 7. Harrison has convictions of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of cocaine, resisting an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, larceny and shoplifting that date back to 1995.

• Barbara Jean Woods, 47, of Weldon: Two counts of larceny and possession of drug paraphernalia. Woods was given a $1,000 bond with a court date of April 7. Woods has convictions of driving while license revoked, possession of drug paraphernalia, larceny, simple assault, trespassing, unauthorized use of a vehicle and assault with a deadly weapon that date back to 1992.

• Deavon Era Barrett, 27, of Weldon: Solicit for prostitution. Barrett was given a $100 bond and an April 7 court date. Barrett has convictions of possession of cocaine, possession with intent to sell cocaine, larceny, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of stolen goods and prostitution that date back to 1998.

• Michael Bernard Ponton, of Weldon: Sell cocaine, deliver cocaine and possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver cocaine. Ponton was given a $1,500 bond. Ponton has convictions of maintaining a place for controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, injury to personal property, larceny, possession of stolen goods, DWI Level 2 and DWI Level 3 that date back to 1999.

• Helen Webb Bell, 45, of Weldon: Deliver cocaine, two counts of deliver marijuana and solicit for prostitution. Bell was given a $3,000 bond and a court date of April 7.