Calvin Jerome Champion and his brother, Robert, were arrested this morning and charged with multiple drug offenses.

Calvin, left, and Robert Champion

They were being taken to Halifax this morning where they were to be jailed on $2,000 bonds each, according to Captain Andy Jackson of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.

In a raid that occurred around 4 a.m. and based on an investigation in October where some 30 pit bulls were found, many with battle scars and other wounds, officers seized 70 grams of crack cocaine, a signal to agents, the Champions have allegedly been dealing in trafficking amounts, Jackson said.

They seized $1,600 in cash, two guns, ammo and digital scales.

Robert Champion, 29, who lists his address as 197 Roper Springs Road, and Calvin Champion, 25, who lives at 238 Maria Avenue, where the bust took place, were arrested without incident.

Jackson said several people were at the scene but could not be sure whether they were there to allegedly buy drugs.

There was no signs of dogs there and it is believed Calvin Champion got rid of the dogs he was supposed to look after following his October arrest, Jackson said.

The county took several dogs as evidence along with puppies and sick dogs.

It appears drug activity continued at the house following Champion’s initial release from jail in October and any more charges against him could result in the beginning of nuisance abatement proceedings, Jackson said. “We will be persistent in our pursuit for justice.”

The brothers face charges of possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, felony possession of cocaine, maintaining a dwelling and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The charges filed today resulted from the earlier narcotics investigation in the Brandy Creek community which led to a dog fighting probe.

Narcotics Agent Jamie Hardy said then it was clear some of the dogs were used in fighting because paraphernalia such as penicillin, iodine and rehydration systems were found at the scene.

One puppy was found dead on top of a kennel and one mother was trying to chew through a chain link fence to get to her pups, he said. One dog’s ear was ripped and was just beginning to heal.

Hardy said it was unclear whether dog fights were occurring in the backyard but it was clear there was traffic, judging from the discovery of leftover plastic baggies, an indication people were smoking marijuana while watching or training the dogs.

Calvin Champion was charged with three misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and four felony counts reflecting that he allegedly maliciously allowed the dogs to fight, which caused severe injuries.

The case remains under investigation.