A Pennsylvania couple face opium trafficking charges following an investigation Wednesday by the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.

The arrests of Michael Pierce Jr. and Jamie Westcott began when police launched a larceny investigation at a business on Julian R. Allsbrook Highway, acting Chief Gorton Williams said.

Video footage helped officers develop a description of a man and woman and confirmed they were traveling in a U-Haul van.

Sergeant D. Newsome observed a van at a local gas station and noticed the same man and woman from the theft.

Williams said Newsome observed Pierce actively using narcotics in the vehicle.

After the occupants were removed from the vehicle a search yielded the following amounts of drugs:

27.5 grams of heroin

92 Suboxone strips

Six Suboxone pills

Eight dosage units of Clonazepam

1 gram of marijuana

Pierce, of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, and Westcott, of Reading, Pennsylvania, were both charged with the following:

Felony trafficking opium or heroin by transporting

Felony trafficking opium or heroin by possession

Felony possession of schedule I 

Possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver heroin

Possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver schedule III 

Maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance

Simple possession of schedule III 

Possession of marijuana up to one-half ounce 

Possession of drug paraphernalia

Possession of marijuana paraphernalia

Larceny after removing anti-theft device

Felony conspiracy

Misdemeanor larceny

Misdemeanor possession of stolen goods

Pierce received an $82,000 secured bond while Westcott received a $100,000 unsecured bond and a $19,999 secured bond for warrants later served. 

Both have April 27 district court dates

Lieutenant D. Jenkins, officers T. Smith and D. Norfleet, and narcotics Officer C. Batchelor assisted.