Category: State News

Fentanyl toxicity ruled cause in 2024 death as alleged dealer faces judge in New Bern

Read the original article and watch the video on the WCTI News 12 website.

Ryan Burdine died from fentanyl in August of 2024, leaving behind his wife and young son. On Wednesday, the man charged with death by distribution appeared in court.

More than a year after his death, police arrested 32-year-old Brian Jones in connection with the case in August 2025. Burdine’s family is back in court as the case moves forward.

The Havelock man was arrested by Havelock Police and charged with death by distribution through sale.

Investigators say the North Carolina Medical Examiner determined Burdine died from fentanyl toxicity on August 30th, 2024.

I wanna be able to look my kid in the eye and be able to say we got justice for your daddy,” Natasha Burdine said, wife of the victim.

Jones was scheduled for a disposition hearing Wednesday afternoon in Craven County Superior Court.

According to figures provided by Fentanyl Victims Network, 380 fentanyl-related deaths were reported in Craven County between 2013 and 2025, with just six investigations leading to prosecutions.

After the hearing, Brian Jones still remains in the Craven County Jail. This case is still pending in Superior Court.

FBI task force, sheriff’s office dismantle drug trafficking ring in Durham: Officials

Read the original article on the CBS17 News website.

DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — A drug trafficking ring in Durham has been dismantled following a yearlong joint investigation between the FBI Raleigh Durham Safe Streets Task Force and the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, officials said Monday.

FBI

According to the FBI, a total of 24.5 kilograms of cocaine and 2.5 kilograms of fentanyl were seized during the investigation, including from a tractor trailer caught in New Mexico.

Ten defendants were prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina and convicted as members of the Durham cocaine and fentanyl drug trafficking operation.

The FBI said the defendants were sentenced to federal prison during separate court appearances between Dec. 17, 2025, and July 8, 2026:

  • Khuram Choudhry, who was sentenced to 17 years on June 29, 2026
  • Kevin Johnson, who was sentenced to 17 years on Feb. 23, 2026
  • Shazad Khan, who was sentenced to 10 years on March 2, 2026
  • Jamaal Robertson, who was sentenced to five years and six months on Feb. 19, 2026
  • Dwight Chandler, who was sentenced to four years and three months on July 8, 2026
  • Shance Bostic, who was sentenced to three years on Feb. 25, 2026
  • Jason Chase, who was sentenced to two years and four months on March 3, 2026
  • Jerrell Green, who was sentenced to two years and six months on March 18, 2026
  • Wendy Rizo-Bodden, who was sentenced to two years on Feb. 20, 2026
  • Matt Morton, who was sentenced to seven months on Dec. 17, 2025

The federal prison sentences total 61 years and six months, according to the FBI.

“This joint operation demonstrates the power of federal and local law enforcement standing shoulder-to-shoulder,” Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead said in a statement. “I’m proud of the work our investigators do every day in conjunction with the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force.

“Taking 10 dangerous drug traffickers off our streets — including repeat violent offenders who put law enforcement lives at risk — makes Durham County safer,” Birkhead continued in his statement. “Collectively, these defendants received more than six decades of federal prison time, which demonstrates our unwavering commitment to addressing drug trafficking and violent crime to protect everyone in our community.”

Reid Davis, the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina, said, “This investigation demonstrates the unwavering resolve of the FBI and our partners to dismantle the criminal networks flooding our communities with deadly narcotics.

“Over the course of a year, the FBI Raleigh Durham Safe Streets Task Force executed a coordinated, resource-intensive operation that removed significant quantities of fentanyl and cocaine from the pipeline and brought 10 offenders to justice,” Davis continued in his statement. “These sentences underscore a simple truth: if you traffic drugs in our communities, the FBI will find you, we will dismantle your operation, and you will be held fully accountable.”

Harnett County man charged with trafficking 30 grams of fentanyl, enough to kill 15,000 people

Read the original article and watch the video on the WRAL New website.

North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) agents said they arrested a Harnett County man with more than 30 grams of fentanyl, enough to kill 15,400 people.

Christopher William Johnston, 34, of Spring Lake, is charged with 10 counts of trafficking fentanyl, among other charges.

Agents said they searched a mobile home on Peggy Street on Thursday, seizing cocaine, opioids, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana and over $12,000 in cash.

Johnston was arrested and charged with:

  • Felony trafficking in fentanyl – 10 counts
  • Felony conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl – 2 counts 
  • Felony maintain a vehicle for a controlled substance – 2 counts
  • Felony assault on a law enforcement officer causing physical injury
  • Felony trafficking in opium 
  • Felony possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine
  • Felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance
  • Assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer  – 2 counts
  • Injury to personal property 
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Possession of marijuana

Johnston is accused of trafficking the drugs at ABC-licensed businesses in Harnett County. 

Johnston is also accused of trying to run over several officers while trying to avoid arrest, leaving one agent with minor injuries. He’s being held in the Harnett County Detention Center without bond.

The suspect’s brother, Nicholas Jacob Johnston, 36, of Spring Lake, was also charged with fentanyl trafficking and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has not been arrested.

15,400 lethal fentanyl doses seized in Harnett County trafficking bust, ALE says

Read the original article and watch the video on the WITN website.

HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement seized more than 15,400 lethal doses of fentanyl, following a month-long investigation into trafficking in Harnett County.

According to court records, Christopher Johnston was charged with the following:

  • 10 counts of trafficking fentanyl
  • Two counts of conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl
  • Two counts of maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance
  • One count of trafficking in opium
  • One count of possession of a schedule I controlled substance
  • One count of assault inflicting physical injury on a law enforcement officer
  • Two counts of assault with a deadly weapon
  • One count of injury to personal property
  • One count of possession of drug paraphernalia
  • One count of possession of marijuana
  • One count of possession of cocaine

Law enforcement said they also seized cocaine, opioids, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana and over $12,000 in cash after executing a search warrant at Johnston’s home in Spring Lake.

During the arrest, court records say that Johnston tried to run over special agents during the arrest with a BMW. One agent had minor injuries, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

Christopher Johnston’s brother, Nicholas Johnston, has been charged in connection with the investigation with the following, according to NCDPS:

  • Three counts of trafficking in fentanyl
  • One count of conspiring to traffic in fentanyl
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nicholas Johnston has not been arrested, according to law enforcement.

34-year-old Christopher Johnston received a $500,000 secured bond and will appear next in court on Nov. 10.

National Prescription Take Back Day is October 24

Read the original article on the City of Raleigh website.

Join the Raleigh Police Department and Substance Use Advisory Commission in addressing the drug overdose epidemic by participating in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) National Prescription Take Back Day. 

Safely dispose of your unneeded or expired prescription and over-the counter medications at the local pharmacies listed below. This is a free service and no questions will be asked.

When? Saturday, October 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where? Visit either one of the participating locations below.

  • Falls River Pharmacy, 10930 Raven Ridge Rd, Suite 109, Raleigh NC
  • Wegmans,1200 Wake Towne Dr, Raleigh NC

Safeguard your community’s safety and health by responsibly disposing of unneeded medication!

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