Marijuana Valued At $1 Million Seized Following Vehicle Pursuit, Search Warrant At Warehouse


SAMPSON COUNTY – Authorities made a major drug bust in northern Sampson County, Monday night. Around 8:30pm, deputies with the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction Team and Special Investigation Division attempted to stop a Chevrolet Tahoe on Green Path Road for a motor vehicle violation.

Initially, the vehicle pulled over for deputies, then sped away. After fleeing from officers for a few miles miles, the driver lost control and wrecked in a field on Green Path Road at Staton Hall Road.

Both the driver and passenger in the SUV were taken into custody without further incident. During the investigation, information was collected that led investigators to obtain a search warrant for a warehouse and vehicle, located in the 7700 block of Plainview Highway.

Collectively, the pursuit and search warrant yielded approximately 1200 pounds of marijuana. Two additional suspects were also taken into custody.

Johnel Alexander Aldaya, 35, of Raleigh, the driver of the Tahoe, is being held on a $1 million bond at the Sampson County Detention Center. The passenger in the Tahoe, Alexander Joes Aldaya, 40, of Raleigh is being held under a $750,000 secured bond.

Two people were arrested at the warehouse on Plainview Highway. Manuel Antonio Cerrone, 30, of Garner and Dioelmi Lora, 35, of New Haven, CT are incarcerated under $750,000 bonds each.

The marijuana seized has an estimated street value of $1 million.

Sheriff’s Lt. Marcus Smith said, “This is a testament to the Sheriff Thornton’s pledge to the citizens of Sampson County and our relentless pursuit to combat drug trafficking and ensure the safety of our communities. In the face of adversity, we stand united in our commitment to uphold the law and protect the well-being of our fellow citizens. This accomplishment represents a collective victory for law enforcement, serving as a stark reminder that we will not tolerate the distribution of illegal substances within our county. We have the most dedicated team of officers, who should be applauded for their unwavering commitment to those they serve.”

16 COMMENTS

  1. Great job SCSO. By the way ALH, you never know what the weed is laced with so be smart about what you say. What if it was your kids?????

  2. People aren’t lacing weed like that drugs are expensive now just like everything else there’s no sense in them giving it away like that

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