Five suspects were arrested and face multiple drug-related charges after a Monday traffic stop led to the seizure of crystal meth, cocaine, crack, heroin, fentanyl, MDMA, hydrocodone, alprazolam and marijuana, as well as firearms and $3,000 in cash.
The incident began when officers with the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office stopped Javonte Autry, 35, of Harrells for a traffic violation and, after Autry fled on foot, deputies discovered approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine in his pants.
Autry was charged with trafficking methamphetamine by possession, trafficking methamphetamine by transport, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Reports from Sampson Sheriff’s Capt. Marcus Smith show that after the traffic stop on Sasser Lane, the Sheriff’s Office, along with the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team and the Clinton Police Department, executed a search warrant at 810 Miller St. in Clinton. During the search, narcotics investigators located and seized large quantities of controlled substances packaged for sale, including 1,013 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 595 grams of cocaine and crack cocaine, 57 grams of heroin, 850 fentanyl pills, 3,125 MDMA pills, 899 hydrocodone (a Schedule II drug), 168 alprazolam (a Schedule IV drug) pills, and 592 grams of marijuan. The search also led to the discovery and confiscation of one assault rifle, two handguns and $3,000 in U.S. currency.
As a result of the investigation, the additional suspects — Diana Howard, Gregory Howard, Delissa Parker and Laguneng Gates — were all taken into custody. They all face a litany of drug charges, including trafficking in cocaine, opium/heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA and fentanyl, along with possession with the intent to sell and deliver marijuana, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
“I am proud of the coordinated efforts of our narcotics investigators, the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team, and our partners with the Clinton Police Department,” Sheriff Jimmy Thornton state.”
“This operation removed a significant amount of dangerous drugs and illegal firearms from our community. The quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and other narcotics seized in this case had the potential to cause tremendous harm. Let this serve as a clear message — the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office will continue to aggressively pursue those who traffic drugs in Sampson County. We remain committed to protecting our citizens and working with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe.”
The sheriff added that the investigation is ongoing, and further charges may be filed.