Dogfighting charges are pending and a man was arrested for an indoor marijuana growing operation on Stack Powell Road early Sunday morning.
Halifax County Sheriff’s Office deputies, acting on information provided by confidential sources, arrived at Stack Powell Road off Sam Powell Dairy Road shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday.
Chief Deputy Wes Tripp said in a news release Sergeant Randy Keeton reported a number of cars in the yard and lights on in a shed behind the residence.
Tripp said there was a large crowd at the scene although it is not immediately clear how many. People began to scatter once the deputy pulled into the yard.
Keeton located the property owner and received consent to search and observed evidence to support the report of dogfighting.
Fresh blood indicated there was at least one dogfight before law enforcement arrived, Tripp said.
Detective J. Sealy and Animal Control Officer Robert Richardson assisted Keeton and a search warrant was obtained for the property.
While processing the scene, a separate room to the shed was found containing what officers described as an indoor marijuana growing operation.
Sheriff’s office narcotics agents called to the scene obtained a search for the grow operation.
Richardson took possession of 19 pit bulls and two puppies, some with past injuries consistent with dogfighting.
A dogfighting pin, dog training weights, syringes and animal medication was seized.
Approximately 68 marijuana plants were seized along with paraphernalia that would support the marijuana growing operation, Tripp said.
The sheriff’s office arrested Zhaqwaun Jevontae Gary, 19, of Roanoke Rapids and charged him with possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacture marijuana, felony possession of marijuana and maintain a vehicle, place or dwelling for a controlled substance.
He was placed on $20,000 bond and has a June 5 court date.
Tripp said it appeared this was not the first dogfight at the location, which is just outside Roanoke Rapids.
He had no comment on whether any money was seized.
