Following a month long undercover investigation, the Four Oaks Police Department executed two drug search warrants simultaneously on Tuesday night.
Police Chief Stephen Anderson said officers had been investigating complaints about illegal drug use at the former location of Murray’s Pawn Shop at 103 E. Wellons Street and at a home at 305 N. Baker Street.
Assisted by the Princeton and Pine Level Police Departments, the three agencies served search warrants on the two addresses seizing drug paraphernalia.
The pawn shop has been closed for several years and was damaged by fire in January 2019 in a blaze started by an unattended candle. The pawn shop building was condemned after the fire, however the police chief says the building is frequently used by drug addicts to use illegal narcotics. Chief Anderson said there had been a lot of people walking on foot between the home at 305 N. Baker Street and the pawn shop.
“We’re trying to rid the streets of illegal drug activity,” Chief Anderson told JoCoReport.com.
One person was cited during the search warrants. Warrants were obtained for other two individuals not present at either location.
Michael Murray, 31, and Megan Cloer, 27, both of 305 N. Baker Street will face misdemeanor drug charges once located.
Additional charges and arrests have not been ruled out, Chief Anderson said.
Johnston County Animal Control also responded and took possession of a canine located in the former pawn shop.
Photos by Jason Thompson
