Two Duplin County residents have been charged with drug trafficking stemming from a raid by Duplin County Task Force members at a Wallace home earlier this month, during which eight ounces of cocaine, marijuana and various drug paraphernalia was discovered.

Gary Dean Mathis, 29, of 315 W. Carr St., Wallace, and Shirkia Sutton, 27, of 320 Providence Church Road, Teachey, were each charged with two counts of trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, possession of marijuana up to half an ounce and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mathis received additional charges of selling cocaine, delivering cocaine, felony possession of cocaine and maintaining a dwelling for the storage of a controlled substance.

According to warrants and incident reports provided by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, members of the task force executed a search warrant at Mathis’ home on West Carr Street on March 13, immediately detaining Mathis and Sutton. During a subsequent search, eight ounces of cocaine — four ounce of which was crack cocaine — a small amount of marijuana and approximately $1,300 in case was seized, authorities said.

Mathis and Sutton were transported to Duplin County jail, where they were fingerprinted. They were then sent to the magistrate’s office and formally charged in connection with the drug seizure.

Mathis was placed in Duplin County jail under $500,000 secured bond. Sutton was given a secured bond of $75,000.

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.