Man arrested in Rocky Mount drug bust, found with 15 firearms, police say

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WITN) - A man has been arrested in Rocky Mount on multiple drug charges and was found with over a dozen firearms, according to police.

On Friday around 1:45 p.m., investigators with the narcotics unit, in partnership with the NCSBI, executed a narcotics search warrant as part of an ongoing investigation into the illegal sale and distribution of ecstasy in Rocky Mount.

Police say they identified 51-year-old John Johnson as a key member of the drug operation.

Law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of Johnson’s vehicle, and a K9 alerted them to the presence of narcotics, according to officials.

Police say they also seized a concealed handgun, approximately 1,000 dosage units of MDMA (351.3 grams), 73 dosage units of heroin, 37.45 grams of cocaine, 33.75 grams of marijuana, and 10 dosage units of Oxycodone.

Investigators then searched Johnson’s home at 400 block of Cleveland Street and a hotel room at 121 Motel. The following additional contraband was seized from these locations:

- MDMA: 890.20 grams

- Fentanyl: 19.75 grams

- Heroin: approximately 13,000 dosage units (3,683.05 grams)

- Cocaine: 48.25 grams

- Xanax (Alprazolam): 500 dosage units

- 15 firearms

Johnson has been charged with the following offenses and is currently being held without bond. Additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues:

- Trafficking Cocaine (2 counts)

- Trafficking MDMA (2 counts)

- Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Heroin

- Maintaining a Dwelling/Vehicle for Selling Controlled Substances (2 counts)

- Carrying a Concealed Gun

Rocky Mount police say they encourage anyone with information related to illegal narcotics activity to contact the Rocky Mount Police Department or use their anonymous tip line by texting tip411.