Four months after being found with 63 pounds of marijuana, a defendant on pretrial release was found at a residence with 7 pounds of marijuana. The same night, detectives with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office found 1 pound of marijuana at a residence of another man on release.
Wednesday, assisted by officials with the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, Jones County Sheriff’s Office and the state Alcohol Law Enforcement, LCSO detectives checked in at the residence of Anthony Spear, in the 2100 block of Possum Trot Lane in Deep Run.
Authorities received information that Spear, who was arrested in February for trafficking marijuana, was in possession of marijuana again. After meeting Spear at the door of the residence, deputies detected the smell of marijuana, and Spear consented to a search of the house.
Detectives seized 7 pounds of marijuana and charged Spear with possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule VI controlled substance and placed him in the Lenoir County Detention Center under a $100,000 bond.
Later that evening, authorities reported to the residence of Billy Franklin Thigpen in the 4300 block of Outlaws Bridge Road in Seven Springs. Thigpen had been confined to house arrest while awaiting trial on 36 felony drug counts.
Detectives executed a search warrant and seized 1 pound of marijuana and various drug paraphernalia. Thigpen was charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule VI controlled substance and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance. He was placed into the Lenoir County Detention Center under a $100,000 bond.
“These two defendants failed to realize that my narcotics investigators are highly motivated and are pooling resources to assist them to get the job done,” Sheriff Chris Hill said in a statement. “I hope the drug dealers in this county are getting the message that they may be next. I fully credit these arrests to all of the detectives, agents and outside agencies involved.
“Their efforts are making an impact in Lenoir County.”
Wes Wolfe can be reached at 252-559-1075 and Wes.Wolfe@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @WolfeReports.