A raid this morning on Valley Drive in Roanoke Rapids resulted in the seizure of 309 grams of fentanyl — an amount Sheriff Tyree Davis said was enough to kill everyone in Halifax County — and nearly 2 kilograms of cocaine.
The search warrant execution which resulted in the arrest of 34-year-old Diandre S. Ireland also led Halifax Regional Drug and Gang Task Force agents to seize 1,712 grams of cocaine, 259 grams of marijuana and $38,574 in cash.
Four firearms were seized, three of which had been reported stolen from the Roanoke Rapids, Greenville and Rocky Mount area.
The task force executed the search warrant early this morning and was assisted by the Halifax County Special Response Team.
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The execution of the search warrant was the culmination of a long-term investigation into the distribution of narcotics by Ireland, who was admitted to Halifax County Detention Center shortly after 7 this morning and is being held on a $1,675,000 secured bond. He is scheduled for a February 22 district court date.
He faces charges of trafficking opiates, possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver a schedule I controlled substance, felony possession of a schedule I controlled substance, trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver cocaine, felony possession of cocaine, possession with Intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver marijuana, felony possession of marijuana, three counts possession of a stolen firearm, four counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and maintaining a dwelling for the sale of narcotics.
Davis declined comment on when the investigation into Ireland began, but did say the probe is ongoing.
Asked to elaborate on the amount of fentanyl being enough to kill everyone in the county, he said, “Because it only takes 2 milligrams of fentanyl to kill somebody.”
The task force is made up of agents from both the sheriff’s office and Roanoke Rapids Police Department.
“We have agents that are working on major narcotics sales and distribution daily,” Roanoke Rapids Chief Shane Guyant said. “Sometimes these investigations take time. However, the fruits of the effort are worth every minute. Job well done to our task force.
“They took poison off the streets today. Poison that is ruining our community. Poison that is killing our sons, daughters, husbands, wives, neighbors, and friends.”
Guyant said he and Davis are committed to supporting this task force “and we are incredibly proud of the job they do. All we ask is that if you see something that can help save a life by getting this poison off the street, report it … Call it snitching, call it telling on someone, call it whatever you want. We call it saving our community and the lives of your family and friends. Be brave people. Get this poison away from us.”
Arresting people like Ireland is why the task force was formed, Davis said. “We formed this task force in unity to work together to go after the most dangerous drug and gang affiliated people in our county.”
The sheriff said, “We’ve combined our resources and expertise to do just that and over time we have gained the trust of local, state, regional and federal agencies to get these drugs and criminals off the streets. Mr. Ireland is just one of many people arrested by our task force and many more to come. Most, but not all, of our violent crimes and murders are in some way directly associated with drug sales and distribution and gangs. The task force is doing an awesome job.”
