Undercover Investigation Results In Two Traffic Stops, Three Drug Arrests

BENSON – A three month undercover investigation by local and federal authorities resulted in two simultaneous traffic stops and three drug arrests.

On June 10, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office SAFE Team and Narcotics Division stopped two vehicles traveling together on NC Highway 50 in the McGee’s Crossroads community.

Agents conducted traffic stops on a black Audi passenger car and a blue SUV.

The driver of the Audi attempted to drive away from the traffic stop but became stuck. One of the occupants reportedly tossed bags out of the vehicle containing approximately 9 ounces of cocaine.

The occupants in the Audi, Chazmonte Louis Brown, age 37, of Raleigh and Qwentin Marcel Smalls, age 35, of Raleigh, were immediately detained.

Inside the blue SUV, agents said they located 1.2 pounds of marijuana. Tinita Ernestine Vick, age 50, of Zebulon was detained.

Brown and Smalls were later charged with four counts of trafficking cocaine and one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine.

Brown was out of jail on bail awaiting trial on cocaine trafficking charges in Wake County.

Small is a convicted felon with a prior conviction for armed robbery in South Carolina.

Vick was charged with four counts of trafficking cocaine, conspiracy to sell cocaine, and possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana.

All three suspects were held under $1 million bonds at the Johnston County Detention Center.

The investigation and undercover operation involved the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, Dunn Police Department, and federal ATF agents.