A summer long multi-jurisdictional task force operation culminated today in Scotland Neck with the arrests of 10 people alleged to be street level and upper level drug dealers.

The arrests were the results of undercover street buys of drugs ranging from Oxycodone to heroin and cocaine to marijuana, Scotland Neck Police Chief Joe Williams said this evening.

The undercover buys were done by out of area agents and the efforts were coordinated by the Tri-City Drug Task Force, which includes state Alcohol Law Enforcement and the police departments of Scotland Neck, Enfield and Tarboro, said state ALE Agent Tim Parker.

Parker said the operation was a three-month long campaign and ended today with the roundup of those indicted.

Heroin has become one of the mainstay drugs being sold in Scotland Neck, both Parker and Williams said.

“It seems to be the drug of choice,” Parker said. “Evidently there is a connection in New York and New Jersey.”

Williams said the operation was a successful one. “We've taken 10 street to mid-level to upper dealers off the street.”

As far as Scotland Neck's heroin trade, Williams said, “I'm assuming what is happening is in the funding. It's easy to conceal and the price per dosage is a lot better. That's the reason it's becoming more prevalent.”

Unlike many areas, a significant methamphetamine trade has stayed out of Halifax County. “We've been fortunate we've not had the problem with meth,” Williams said. “Heroin has grown over the last few years.”

Williams said this campaign targeted about 75 percent of the drug dealers in Scotland Neck. “This is only the tip of our drug campaign. There are more to be taking place in the next week or so. These have been the ones contributing to the problem of shootings and shots being fired, hanging out on street corners, contributing to stealing and shoplifting. It's not going to stop it but it's going to hurt them.”

The coordinated effort between the different agencies is helping, Williams said. “We are also teaming up with the U.S. Attorney and hope to have all those with a violent history federally indicted.”

Williams said the undercover buys were street level deals with $20 to $40 being paid for crack and $10 to $20 being paid for marijuana. “We made a sizable purchase of heroin.”

Arrested were:

Ramome Smith, 41, of Scotland Neck, for sell and deliver Schedule II, trafficking in opiates and possession with intent to sell and deliver Schedule II. He was jailed on $7,000 bond.

Dantonio “Duke” Whitaker, 25, of East Eleventh Street, Scotland Neck, for sell and deliver marijuana and possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana. He was jailed on $2,000 bond.

Denard Boone, 23, of Roanoke Street, Scotland Neck, for sell and deliver cocaine and possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine. He was jailed on $3,000 bond.

Troy Clark, 18, of East Tenth Street, Scotland Neck, for sell and deliver cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine and conspire to sell and deliver cocaine. He was jailed on $2,000 bond.

Maurice Dowden, 26, of West Eleventh Street, Scotland Neck, for sell and deliver cocaine and possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine. He was jailed on $2,500 bond.

Eugene Williams, 40, of Main Street, Scotland Neck, for possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and sell and deliver marijuana. Additionally, he was charged with possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana as he allegedly tried to dispose of marijuana he had on him while being arrested on the campaign indictment charges. He was jailed on $10,000 bond.

Jerome Williams, 50, of Roanoke Street, Scotland Neck, for conspire to sell and deliver cocaine. No bond information was included.

Fruiqwan Rodman, 23, of Chestnut Street, Scotland Neck, for sell and deliver cocaine and possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine. He was additionally charged with simple possession of marijuana for allegedly trying to dispose of marijuana he had when arrested today. He was jailed on $2,500 bond.

Cedric Williams, 29, of Grace Street, Scotland Neck, for sell and deliver cocaine and possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine. He was jailed on $5,000 bond.

Cedrick Clark, 19, of Allison Drive, Scotland Neck, for sell and deliver Schedule II, sell and deliver marijuana, conspire to sell and deliver Schedule II, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession with intent to sell and deliver Schedule II. He was jailed on $2,000 bond.

All charged have January 23 court dates.