A multi-county investigation in Sampson County yielded the seizure of 3 pounds of methamphetamine, said by sheriff’s officials to be the largest single meth bust the county has ever seen.

Agents with the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division and Fayetteville Police Department conducted a search warrant at 4635 U.S. 421 North on Thursday in reference to an ongoing investigation, according to reports from sheriff’s officials.

That search warrant yielded over 3 pounds of methamphetamines having a street value of over $200,000, as well as a firearm. As a result of the investigation, two adults and one 15-year-old male suspect were taken into custody.

Noemi Cruz, 40, of 5635 Hobbton Hwy., Clinton, was charged with trafficking methamphetamine and maintaining dwelling for the storage of a controlled substance. Jacinto Daniel Arriaga, 22, of 2321 William R. King Road, Newton Grove, listed as Jacinto Javier Arriga in jail records, was charged with trafficking methamphetamine and carrying a concealed gun.

The teenager, whose name was not released because he is a juvenile, received the same meth trafficking charges, Sheriff’s Lt. Marcus Smith noted.

Bonds for Cruz and Arriaga were set at $150,000 secured apiece.

“This is the most meth seized locally,” Smith said Friday, adding, “The investigation is ongoing.”

In the wake of the large drug seizure, Sheriff Jimmy Thornton praised the officers involved in the investigation and had strong words for those who would use Sampson as a haven to mule their illegal drugs.

“This was the result of a joint investigation with a lot of dedicated manpower and hard work that has removed a large amount of meth poison from our streets,” Thornton stated. “This is less drugs that will fall in the hands of our youth. These officers should be commended for their hard work and the drug dealers and users should take heed, because we are coming after all of them and we won’t stop until they and their poison are off our streets.”

By Chris Berendt

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Three pounds of meth was seized by Sampson County Sheriff’s authorities this week, said to be the largest single seizure the county has seen.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_meth-1.jpgThree pounds of meth was seized by Sampson County Sheriff’s authorities this week, said to be the largest single seizure the county has seen.

Sheriff Jimmy Thornton stands over the pounds of methamphetamine his agents, with the assistance of Fayetteville Police, seized in an investigation at a U.S. 421 residence.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_meth-2.jpgSheriff Jimmy Thornton stands over the pounds of methamphetamine his agents, with the assistance of Fayetteville Police, seized in an investigation at a U.S. 421 residence.

Arriaga
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_arriga.jpgArriaga