In a multi-agency investigation conducted last month, authorities confiscated 64 pounds of marijuana and charged two Lenoir County men with multiple drug offenses.
Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office narcotics investigators — assisted by agents from the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), and the Kinston Department of Public Safety — conducted dual raids on Jan. 16 at the home of Billy Franklin Thigpen, 62, at 4310 Outlaw’s Bridge Road, Seven Springs and the home of Anthony Spear, 45, at 2161 Possum Trot Lane.
During the search of Thigpen’s home, investigators found one pound of marijuana, 11 firearms and $11,273 in cash. Thigpen was charged with three counts of trafficking opium/heroin, eight counts of possession with the intent to sell/deliver marijuana, eight counts of selling marijuana, six counts of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances, one count of possession with the intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a Schedule II narcotic, one count of selling Schedule II narcotics and one count of delivering a Schedule II controlled substance. Thigpen was placed under a $950,000 bond.
At Spear’s home, investigators found 63 pounds of marijuana. Also seized were $5,038 in cash and two vehicles. Spear was charged with trafficking marijuana and placed under a $30,000 bond.
“These arrests are the result of a continued effort by law enforcement to depress the narcotics trade in Lenoir County,” Chief Deputy Chris Hill said. “This is also a fine example of community members identifying narcotics related malfeasance within their neighborhoods and funneling that information to the right people, so that the problem could be targeted for eradication.”