Thread: Guns, nearly a kilo of meth seized

Guns, nearly a kilo of meth seized
Duplin officers arrest two, at least one believed to be an illegal immigrant
By Chris Berendt
Published:
Saturday, July 26, 2008 8:06 AM CDT
KENANSVILLE — Two men targeted through investigations into methamphetamine sales in Duplin County are now in custody after separate searches at their homes collectively yielded nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine, $30,000 in cash and seven firearms.

One of the men, Benito Rayo Zavala of 3262 Hwy. 111/903, Albertson, is facing a long list of felony charges at the county level, while federal charges are pending against Ernesto Rayo Morales of 126 L.G. Westbrook Lane, Albertson. The men’s ages have not been confirmed by local authorities.

Morales is an illegal immigrant and Zavala is also believed to be in the country illegally, Duplin County Sheriff Blake Wallace said in a recent press conference. The sheriff noted that both arrests were made as a result of probes by the multi-agency Duplin County Drug Enforcement Task Force, which executed search warrants at separate homes in the Albertson area earlier this month.

Zavala was arrested on July 7 in the more recent case, when an investigation into the possible manufacturing and selling of methamphetamine culminated in a search of Zavala’s home.

The search resulted in the discovery of 35 ounces (2.19 pounds) of meth, which has an approximate street value of $100,000, Wallace said. The drugs were found in a small plastic cooler, buried underneath the ground in the backyard of the residence.

Also seized was $1,500 in cash, an assault rifle, 9mm handgun and assorted drug paraphernalia, including a pipe, scales and packaging.

Zavala has been charged with trafficking in methamphetamine by possession and transport, possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, manufacturing methamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling for the storage and sale of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He has been placed under $2 million bond while sheriff’s authorities continue to inquire about the man’s immigration status.

“We believe he is an illegal alien, but we have not been able to confirm that,â€

THE DRUG CARTEL IS UP AND RUNNING GREAT IN NC I SEE