A joint investigation between the sheriff’s offices of Halifax and Nash counties led to a traffic stop Sunday in which three arrests were made and 6,500 bindles of heroin were seized.

Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said the traffic stop was part of the investigation and there was probable cause to make the stop.

• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
•  

He described the three arrested — Prar’Jhuay Powell, 23; Marquie Mulik Wilson, 22; and Doniell Mona Clark, 25 — as reputed associates in the Scotland Neck drug trade. The three reside in Scotland Neck, the sheriff said in a statement.

Tripp said the federal government will be contacted about possible adoption.

In the statement the sheriff said the stop occurred shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday on Highway 301 north of Halifax.

During the traffic stop canine assistance was requested. During the search of the vehicle 6,500 bindles —  130 bricks — of heroin was seized with the assistance of drug agents from Nash and Halifax counties.

The trio face charges of trafficking heroin by possession, trafficking heroin by transport, possession with intent to sell/deliver heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.  

Clark had additional charges of maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance and driving while license revoked.

Powell, Wilson and Clark received $50,000 bonds and February 6 court dates.

The latest arrests come on the heels of two men — Deandre Lamont “DD” Miles and Terry Louis Kearney — being indicted federally on fentanyl and heroin charges.

“If you’re dealing drugs, we’re putting you on notice,” Tripp said this afternoon.

In the statement he said, “The drug seizure and arrests were a result of two sheriff’s offices working together, sharing information.  Agencies have put in years of work and continue to follow up on the drug trade in the Scotland Neck community. This continues to be a lengthy investigation.”

A spokesperson for the Nash County Sheriff’s Office was not immediately available for comment as of this report.

Past arrests related to Scotland Neck drug trade

March 2017, 34,700 bindles (694 bricks) of heroin were seized during a traffic stop and two Scotland Neck residents arrested.  Both are in federal custody.

August 2017, 5,100 bindles (102 bricks) of heroin were seized during a traffic stop and a resident of Hallsboro and Whiteville were arrested. Those two are also in federal custody.

September 2017, five other reputed members were arrested in a Scotland Neck blood set heroin conspiracy.

Total seized: 46,300 bindles (926 bricks) of heroin, estimated street value $463,000

All heroin seized during these operations was destined for the Scotland Neck area to be distributed to surrounding counties, Tripp said. “This sheriff’s office is partnering with local, state and federal agencies to combat the drug problems and is also partnering with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina with the Take Back North Carolina initiative to address the opioid epidemic.”

Citizens are encouraged to report any suspected drug activity by calling the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division at 252-535-1257, Halifax County Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 or log onto www.halifaxsheriff.com and click on submit a tip.