ROCKINGHAM — Two men are facing multiple charges — accused of trafficking fentanyl, cocaine and meth — following a yearlong investigation by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and Drug Enforcement Administration.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, investigators made 15 controlled drug buys throughout the year at multiple locations in the Hamlet area from both 39-year-old Marcus Lavelle Jones and 45-year-old Shannon Torrell Harrington.
Harrington, of Charlotte, was reportedly driving a 2010 Mercedes Benz on Oct. 21 when he was pulled over for a traffic stop by the RCSO Community Impact Team. Investigators searched the car and reportedly found 397.8 grams of cocaine.
A search warrant was then obtained for an address on Carr Street, where detectives had reportedly been conducting surveillance, observing drug activity and conducting buys.
During that search, investigators reportedly found and seized: 312.56 grams of meth; 4,333.3 grams (9.5 pounds) of marijuana; 125.79 grams of cocaine; assorted drug paraphernalia (including scales, baggies and spoons); and an undisclosed amount of cash. Detectives also reportedly seized the Mercedes.
Court records show Harrington was arrested and charged with: trafficking in cocaine; trafficking in methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance; possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
During the investigation, detectives reportedly learned that Harrington was renting a local storage unit. Hunter, a RCSO K-9, reportedly alerted to the presence of narcotics at the unit.
Investigators searched the storage unit and reportedly found and seized 293.3 grams of fentanyl and 84.9 grams of cocaine.
The investigation continued and detectives reportedly continued to make controlled drug buys from Harrington and Jones.
On Thursday, Jan. 16, the sheriff’s office — in conjunction with the DEA offices in Greensboro and Charlotte, the Homeland Security Investigations office in Charlotte, the Moore County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department — executed search warrants at two residences in Charlotte and three in Hamlet.
The searches in Hamlet reportedly turned up: of 99.6 grams of cocaine; 53.3 grams of fentanyl; and a stolen firearm.
In Charlotte, investigators reportedly found and seized: 268.8 grams of meth; 74.1 grams of cocaine; one stolen firearm and two other firearms; an undisclosed quantity of marijuana; and an undisclosed amount of cash.
Law enforcement also reportedly seized a 2021 Dodge Challenger, a 2021 Mercedes SUV and assorted jewelry.
Harrington was arrested again and charged with: trafficking in opium or heroin; trafficking in cocaine; maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jones is charged with: two counts of trafficking in methamphetamine; trafficking in cocaine; trafficking in opium or heroin; and possession of a stolen firearm.
Harrington is being held without bond in the Richmond County Jail; Jones is being held on a combined $710,000 secured bond. They are both scheduled to appear in court Feb. 6.
Records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction show Harrington has multiple prior convictions in Richmond County from 1996 to 2011. Jones’ criminal history includes convictions for common law forgery and possession of drug paraphernalia.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
