A months-long investigation into an alleged drug trafficking organization led to three search warrants in Halifax County, the arrest of one Roanoke Rapids man and warrants for two additional suspects, according to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Halifax Regional Drug and Gang Task Force, Rocky Mount Police Department Narcotics Unit and Homeland Security Investigations.
On the morning of Friday, Sept. 18, agents simultaneously executed search warrants at residences on Jim Martin Drive in Roanoke Rapids and Cedar Street in Weldon. A third warrant was executed later that afternoon at a residence on Melody Lane in Roanoke Rapids.
Authorities identified Cecil Kurrenthes Ransom, 45, and Tyron Marquette Mills, 49, both of Roanoke Rapids, as targets of the investigation.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, agents seized four firearms — three handguns and an AR-15-style pistol — along with approximately 1,019 grams of powder cocaine, 54 grams of crack cocaine, 417 grams of marijuana and four grams of MDMA tablets. Drug packaging and processing materials were also seized.
Ransom was taken into custody at the Jim Martin Drive residence.
He was charged with three counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana, simple possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, felony maintaining a dwelling for the sale of narcotics, trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver cocaine, and felony possession of cocaine.
Ransom received a $115,000 bond on the drug charges and was held without bond on the firearm charges, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Authorities said Ransom is a convicted felon with prior drug and weapons convictions.
Agents also obtained warrants for Jazmine Ransom in connection with the Jim Martin Drive and Cedar Street searches. She is wanted on charges of trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver cocaine, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a Schedule II controlled substance, and felony maintaining a dwelling or vehicle for the sale of narcotics.
The third search warrant was executed Friday afternoon at the Melody Lane residence in Roanoke Rapids. Mills was not present when agents arrived.
Authorities subsequently obtained warrants charging Mills with trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver cocaine, felony possession of cocaine, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana, felony possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance, and felony maintaining a dwelling or vehicle for the sale of narcotics.
The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division also assisted with execution of the warrants.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, agents have seized more than $51,000 in U.S. currency, more than 1,860 grams of powder cocaine, more than 90 grams of crack cocaine and more than 450 grams of marijuana from Ransom and Mills over the course of the investigation.
The investigation involved cooperation across local and federal jurisdictions. At its outset, the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and Rocky Mount Police Department entered into a mutual aid agreement allowing members of the Halifax Regional Drug and Gang Task Force and Rocky Mount Police Department Narcotics Unit to operate within each agency’s respective jurisdiction while assisting with this and other narcotics investigations.
The Halifax Regional Drug and Gang Task Force consists of deputies from the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.
Authorities are asking Jazmine Ransom and Tyron Mills to surrender to law enforcement.
Anyone with information about their whereabouts or suspected drug or gang activity can contact the Halifax Regional Drug and Gang Task Force at 252-991-9999. Tips may also be submitted to Halifax County Crime Stoppers at 252-583-4444.
