One kilogram (2.2 pounds) of cocaine was seized by Sampson County Sheriff’s deputies during a recent traffic stop near Spivey’s Corner. Two men were arrested and charged with drug trafficking offenses, a ‘dent’ in transport operations that attempt to make their way across the county every day, authorities said.
The two men were arrested following a routine traffic stop late Friday and are still under secured bonds of $1.5 million a piece.
“This case illustrates the fact that illegal drugs are transported up and down the highways of Sampson County every day,” Thornton said. “Unfortunately, we can’t stop every vehicle or every shipment, but we will do our best to put a dent in the drug dealers’ operations.”
A large bite was taken as part of the latest seizure Friday, when deputies with the Sheriff’s Highway Enforcement Awareness Team stopped a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta for a minor traffic violation around 7:30 p.m.
The stop was made on U.S. 421, just north of Spivey’s Corner. During the stop, HEAT deputies noticed suspicious behavior from both the driver and passenger that “created additional concern,” according to reports.
Officers with the Clinton Police Department assisted sheriff’s deputies in utilizing one of the department’s canine units to sniff around the Jetta. The canine gave a positive alert to the presence of narcotics and a further search by deputies resulted in the discovery of one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of cocaine.
The drugs, concealed in duct tape, were found in the trunk of the vehicle, authorities said. Sheriff’s officials estimated the cocaine as having a street value of $100,000.
Both occupants, Israel Mederos, 41, of Union Gap, Wash., and Miguel Sanchez, 34, of Lawrenceville, Ga., were charged with possession of cocaine.
Additionally, each was charged with trafficking in cocaine by possession, transport and manufacture, possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, maintaining a vehicle for the storage of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Authorities are currently inquiring as to the immigration status of the men, who are still being kept in the Sampson County Detention Center.
Thornton said the arrests of the men was due to the alertness of deputies and teamwork between the two law enforcement agencies.
“Thanks to the alertness of my deputies, when stopping the vehicle and the cooperation from the Clinton Police Department, we were able to get two drug dealers off the street,” the sheriff said. “Teamwork goes a long way, and I’m thankful for the great law enforcement working relationships that we have in Sampson County. Our combined efforts will only hamper those who wish to participate in the illegal drug business.”
Two pounds of pot seized
A Garland man now faces a felony drug charge stemming from a traffic stop in the Roseboro area last week, during which more than two pounds of marijuana was found, according to reports filed Monday.
Kevin Cornelius Whitted, 28, of 235 Brown Ave., Garland, has been charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana. Whitted’s bond was set at $100,000 secured for the charge.
According to reports, Whitted was arrested after 2.4 pounds of the drug was found in the trunk of a 1983 Chevrolet Caprice occupied by he and another person. A stop on the vehicle was conducted at 11:30 p.m., Wednesday, as it traveled on Old Mintz Highway. A passenger in the vehicle, Whitted was taken into custody after admitted to sheriff’s deputies that the drugs were his, reports state.
Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@intrstar.net.
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