Lavonta "Moochie" Johnson
Earlier this year, the Halifax Regional Drug & Gang Task Force began receiving complaints about suspected drug sales in the Bridgman Street area of Roanoke Rapids.
Agents identified the suspected dealer as 35-year-old Lavonta “Moochie” Johnson of Roanoke Rapids and spent months building a case against him.
During the investigation, agents conducted controlled narcotics purchases from Johnson and conducted repeated surveillance before seeking a search warrant for his residence.
That warrant was granted Wednesday, Aug. 12.
That evening, investigators with the Halifax Regional Drug & Gang Task Force, assisted by the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations and Patrol divisions, moved in to execute the search warrant.
Johnson was found inside the residence and detained without incident.
During a search of the property, agents reported locating and seizing:
- 935 grams of methamphetamine
- 200 grams of fentanyl
- 115 grams of cocaine
- Five firearms
- A small drug press
- Blenders allegedly used to process drugs
Investigators also determined through an NCIC check that one of the firearms had been reported stolen to the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.
Johnson is prohibited from possessing firearms because he is a convicted felon and is currently on probation.
The amount and variety of narcotics seized resulted in a lengthy list of charges.
Johnson was charged with:
- Five counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Possession of a stolen firearm
- Trafficking methamphetamine
- Possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine
- Felony possession of methamphetamine
- Trafficking fentanyl
- Possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver fentanyl
- Felony possession of fentanyl
- Felony maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance
Johnson was placed under no bond and confined to the Halifax County Detention Center. He is scheduled to appear Aug. 26 in Halifax County District Court.
Additional charges may be forthcoming in the case.
A Dangerous Haul
The seizure comes amid continuing concern over highly addictive and potentially deadly illicit drugs in the region.
Methamphetamine, like other illegal street drugs, is highly addictive. One significant difference is its relatively low production and street cost compared with some other illicit drugs. Common street names for methamphetamine include “ice,” “cream” and “ice cream.”
Fentanyl presents an even greater danger because of its extreme potency and its role in overdose deaths across the country.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, approximately 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be considered a potentially lethal dose, depending on factors including a person’s body size, tolerance and past usage.
Using that benchmark, the 200 grams of fentanyl reportedly seized in this case represents approximately 100,000 potentially lethal 2-milligram doses.
Regional Drug & Gang Task Force
The Halifax Regional Drug & Gang Task Force is comprised of deputies from the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Roanoke Rapids Police Department. The partnership combines manpower and resources from both agencies to investigate drug and gang activity throughout Halifax County.
Citizens are encouraged to report suspected drug or gang activity to the Halifax Regional Drug & Gang Task Force at 252-991-9999 or Halifax County Communications through its non-emergency number at 252-583-1991.
