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WAGING THE LOCAL WAR ON DRUGS

Potecasi Man Faces Cocaine Charges in Two Counties

JACKSON - A man who is reportedly one of Northampton County's biggest drug dealers is behind bars and faces charges of cocaine trafficking in two counties, the Northampton County Sheriff's Office said at a press conference Friday.

Sheriff Wardie Vincent said a joint investigation with the Bertie County Sheriff's Office and the State Bureau of Investigation resulted in the seizure of 29 ounces of cocaine, numerous weapons, a military flak jacket and $137,450 in cash.

A man, 29, of Griffintown Road, Potecasi, was charged with trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, sell and deliver cocaine and maintaining a place to keep a controlled substance.

He was also charged with trafficking in Bertie County and placed on $1 million bond there and $250,000 bond in Northampton.

Vincent said officers believe the 29 year old is a major supplier of cocaine in Northampton, Hertford, Bertie and Pitt counties, as well as some parts of Halifax County.

Capt.  George Reed said investigators believe he was moving approximately 5 to 6 kilos of cocaine a month and making anywhere between $15,000 to $20,000.

Investigators found $17,000 in a dishwasher at his residence and the remainder of the cash was found in a safe stored in the attic.  An Escalade and motorcycle were also seized.

Another indication of the amount of weight the man was allegedly moving was in the choice of the type of scales he used.

Instead of using small scales, Reed said the 29 year old used scales large enough to weigh kilos of cocaine.

Part of the paraphernalia seized was a hammer, which is used to break up large amounts of the drug, Reed said, adding investigators believe both powder and crack cocaine was being produced.

Vincent said he is hopeful this arrest will help lead to arrests of others, including associates of the man.  Local authorities are considering getting federal indictments against him, Vincent said.

The sheriff's office will request the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms do a background check on the weapons seized and will also investigate to see whether the 29 year old had any bank accounts which may be frozen.

"He's one of the bigger dealers we've had in recent years," Vincent said.