Deputies: Several drug dealers in jail following investigation

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office arrested several alleged drug dealers following a joint investigation and search warrants at two different locations last week.

“We have been working jointly with several agencies including the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE), Elizabethtown and White Lake Police Departments and the Robeson County Sheriff’s office,” said McVicker.

On Friday, March 16, officers executed a search warrant on McLeod Street in Elizabethtown following a month long undercover investigation that lead to several undercover buys and culminated in a search warrant and warrants for arrest for one area drug dealer.

Houston Junius Smith, 26, was charged with Possession of Cocaine, Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell, Deliver Cocaine, Maintaining a Dwelling for the Purpose of Selling Controlled Substances, Manufacturing Schedule II Controlled Substance (Cocaine), Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Adulterants, Felony Flee to Elude Arrest.

Smith was booked into the Bladen County Detention Center on a $53,000 secured bond. He is also facing more narcotics charges and probation violation charges.

Jasmine Bryant, 26, was charged with Possession of Marijuana, and Maintaining a Dwelling for the Purpose of Selling Controlled Substances. Bryant was issued a citation and released at the scene.

A second search was executed on Friday on Tobermory Road in Fayetteville. Narcotics agents seized heroin, marijuana, paraphernalia and money.

Nancy Cain Pruett, 52, was charged with Trafficking heroin, Possession of Heroin, Possession With Intent to Manufacture , sell, deliver Heroin, Possession with Intent Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Marijuana, Manufacturing Heroin, Maintaining a Dwelling for Selling Heroin, Manufacturing Heroin, Simple Possession Cocaine, Simple Possession Schedule IV Narcotics (Prescription Medication), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Pruett was held under a $1,012,500 secured bond. She is the first heroin dealer in Bladen County to receive a one million dollar bond following the announcement by the district attorneys office of their new policy for heroin dealers.

Tara Leigh Atkinson was charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell, Deliver Heroin, Maintaining a Dwelling for the Purpose of Selling Controlled Substances, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Adulterants, Possession of Paraphernalia.

Atkinson was placed under a $257,000 secured bond and is also facing a probation violation charge.