ROCKINGHAM — A recent drug investigation resulted in the seizure of more than 2,100 grams of meth, 245 grams of cocaine and 476 doses of ecstasy.
On Friday, Sept. 22, investigators with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Community Impact Team and the Moore County Sheriff’s Office Vice/Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant looking for drugs at a home on Rosalyn Road in Cordova, according to a press release issued Sept. 25.
When investigators arrived, they reportedly saw 25-year-old Danarius Lamond Gates, of the home, and his neighbor, 23-year-old Antonio McRae Jr., in the yard, as well as 26-year-old Christopher Lamont Chavis of Greensboro inside a vehicle.
All three were reportedly detained and identified.
While searching Gates’ apartment, investigators reportedly found and seized: 200 grams of methamphetamine; 227 dosage units of MDMA pills; 12 dosage units of Oxycodone; 450 grams of marijuana; vacuum sealers; digital scales; baggies for packaging narcotics; and $3,886.
Investigators reportedly obtained another search warrant for McRae’s half of the duplex. Inside, they reportedly found: 245 grams of crack cocaine; 852 grams of marijuana; vacuum bag sealers, and $1,157.
According to the sheriff’s office, investigators also seized three vehicles that were in the yard and obtained search warrants for those.
Inside Chavis’ car, investigators reportedly found: a box with two vacuum-sealed bags holding a total of 1,914 grams of methamphetamine; 249 grams of MDMA; two Glock 9mm handguns; and $7.
While searching the other vehicles, investigators reportedly found a Glock 9mm in one, and 23 grams of weed and a Taurus 9mm in the other.
Investigators estimate the total street value of the seized drugs at $244,635, according to the release.
All three men were arrested and charged.
Gates is charged with: trafficking in methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine; possession of methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver marijuana; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule I controlled substance; felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance; maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
McRae is charged with: possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver cocaine; trafficking in cocaine; possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana; felony possession of marijuana; felony possession of cocaine; maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance; and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.
Both were booked into the Richmond County Jail, each on a $300,000 secured bond. Gates did not appear in online jail records on Sept. 26, but McRae was still being held.
Chavis is charged with: trafficking in methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine; trafficking in MDMA; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule I controlled substance; possession of methamphetamine; and felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance.
Chavis was also served with orders for arrest for failing to appear in court — two from Union County and one from Mecklenburg County. He is being held on a combined $554,000 secured bond.
All three are scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 5.
Online court records show McRae has a pending traffic violation of driving while license revoked.
Chavis has pending traffic violations from 2020 of reckless driving to endanger, speeding and driving with a revoked license in Union County.
He also has the following pending charges and citations in Scotland County:
- 2018: felony possession of cocaine; possession of drug paraphernalia; carrying a concealed gun; no operator’s license
- 2019: accessory after the fact
- 2023: speeding; driving while license revoked
None of the defendants have any prior convictions in the state, according to records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
