The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office arrested two local men on a traffic stop after watching the men pass drugs while shaking hands. 

On Friday afternoon, Captain L.J. Burch said he stopped a passenger van on Highway 125 near Three Bridge Road in Roanoke Rapids for a traffic violation. 

While speaking to the driver about the traffic violation, Burch watched one passenger pass cocaine to another passenger as if they were shaking hands. 

Agent T.A. Harris assisted Burch in searching the passengers to recover the cocaine and both men were arrested for drug charges.

Brett Livingston Stone, 40, of Roanoke Rapids, was charged with possession of cocaine and maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances. 

Stone was confined to the Halifax County Detention Center under a $5,000 secured bond. Stone has been convicted of possessing cocaine in March of 2008 following a 2007 investigation by Burch.

Michael Wayne Meade, 25, of Roanoke Rapids, was charged with possession of cocaine and a seatbelt violation.

Meade was confined on a $5,000 secured bond. He was convicted of possession of cocaine in March of 2006 following a traffic stop by Burch in April of 2005.

Burch said in a press release, “If it were not for the support of our citizens letting us know about suspicious drug activity, we would not be able to function as an effective unit. These drug arrests are a direct result of my previous drug investigations involving these two men.”

Citizens are encouraged to call Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 to leave tips on suspected drug activity in their communities. “We cannot be very effective without our citizens support.”