In an operation that cut deep into the local drug scene, a Johnston County residence became the focal point for a notable drug bust. The Johnston County Sheriff's Office stated that on January 22, their Narcotics Division, in collaboration with the S.T.A.R. Team, carried out a search warrant at a property tucked away off Les Belle Drive in Middlesex, which was residence to Carmen Bueno, tagged as a significant narcotics distributor in the area.
The issuance of the search warrant sprang from an undercover investigation where detectives managed to snag multiple instances of crack cocaine purchases, which culminated in the raid and the attempted flight of Mr. Bueno; however, he was swiftly apprehended by deputies backed by the bite of the JCSO K9 Unit after which he was placed under arrest facing numerous felony charges, the cops didn't only confine their scope to Mr. Bueno's primary digs but extended their reach to a secondary spot in Wake County, further lining their evidence lockers and treasuries with illicit substances and cash purported to be tied to Mr. Bueno's dealings.
Documented within the operation was the seizure of about 38.6 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 11.9 grams of powder cocaine, and some $1,718 in cash seized at the initial search location, as per the Johnston County Sheriff's Office announcement. A follow-up operation saw a dive into another residence used by Mr. Bueno, leading to the recovery of an additional $4,040 believed to be interconnected with his narcotic activities.
The successful stint by law enforcement in Johnston County paints a picture of inter-agency collaboration, as the Sheriff's Office acknowledged the support of Wake County Sheriff's Office, Knightdale Police Department, Johnston County Emergency Services, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol's Aviation Unit, a multi-faceted effort that exemplifies the intricate dance law enforcement engages in when pursuing and capturing alleged criminals within the networks of the illegal drug trade, Mr. Bueno now sits within the confines of the Johnston County Detention Center, his liberty commanded by a $950,000 bond.
