Suspect faces $900,000 bond for drug operation bust

A two-year drug investigation by the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division was brought to a close Friday following a controlled purchase operation.
During the investigation, which began Aug. 8, 2011, LCSO narcotics detectives conducted controlled purchases of crack cocaine with a total street value of $400 from Sennica LaKeth McKnight, according to an LCSO press release.
At the time, McKnight, 36, was out on pretrial release for pending drug charges of maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances, selling a schedule II and possessing a schedule II from a 2008 drug investigation in Lenoir County.
LCSO detectives have allegedly 1 ounce of crack cocaine from McKnight on four occasions since the operation began until Friday when narcotics detectives with assistance from the NCALE, LCSO Patrol Division and LCSO Community Crime Reduction Team planned a buy-bust operation.
A felony vehicle stop was conducted on N.C. 11/55 at Ashland Drive and McKnight and the driver, Adriane Roichell Farris, 22, were arrested and charged with numerous drug-related crimes.
Both suspects were confined in the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Detention Center, with McKnight placed under a $900,000 secured bond and Farris under a $100,000 secured bond.
During the investigation, detectives searched the suspects’ residence, 990 Old Mission Lane, where they seized 12 ounces of schedule VI marijuana.
“My narcotics officers are a motivated group of individuals who are making a difference in Lenoir County,” Sheriff Chris Hill said in a statement. “Mr. McKnight was on their radar and he will now have to deal with the consequences of his poor decisions. To the drug dealers of Lenoir County, you need to ask yourself a question, — ‘Am I next?’ ”
McKnight was arrested and charged with four counts each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule II CS, sell a schedule II CS and deliver a schedule II CS, three counts of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling, and one count each of conspiring to sell or deliver a schedule II, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver schedule VI marijuana and communicating threats for threats he made to one of the arresting detectives.
Farris, 22, was arrested and charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver marijuana, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for controlled substances and conspiring to sell or deliver schedule II CS.