3 arrested in Cumberland County's largest heroin bust

EASTOVER - Narcotics agents with the Sheriff's Office seized hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of heroin in what Sheriff Moose Butler said was the largest heroin bust in the county's history.

Lawmen found heroin, moonshine, a handgun and video poker machines when they raided several homes off Sanderosa Road on Tuesday, according to Butler. Altogether, more than 3,000 doses of heroin, with a street value of more than $300,000, were seized, the sheriff said.

Butler said one of the homes - at 3485 Sanderosa Road - was part of a larger drug trafficking ring that spans the county.

Three people were charged with trafficking heroin. They are: Michael Strickland McNatt, 35, of the 3400 block of Sanderosa Road; Reggie Lamar Raynor, 38; and Michella Rena McNeill, 37. Addresses for Raynor and McNeill were not immediately available.

McNatt has several previous and outstanding drug charges, including possession with intent to sell and distribute heroin and cocaine, according to court records.

The three are being held in the Cumberland County Detention Center where they still were being interviewed and questioned late Tuesday night.

Undercover agents also raided homes at 3409 and 3491 Sanderosa Road, Butler said.

Two video poker machines, 96 ounces of illegal whiskey, a handgun, 75 grams of marijuana and a stolen utility trailer also were confiscated in the raid, Butler said.

"This kind of thing don't surprise me much anymore," Butler said. "But this does help a great deal in stopping drug trafficking."

The heroin, tightly packed in bundles, was discovered behind the residence at 3485 Sanderosa Road in an old vehicle, he said. The drugs are thought to have originated in New Jersey, he added.

Each bundle contains ten "bindles" of heroin, which can be sold on the street for about $25 each, according to narcotics agents on the scene.

Agents from the Sheriff's Office, the Fayetteville Police Department, the State Bureau of Investigation and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, as well as County Code Enforcement officers participated in the drug bust.

"Hopefully, we can build onto this and take down the next place," Fayetteville Police Chief Tom Bergamine said.

Bergamine said he expected more arrests related to the distribution house.

Narcotics agents say the six-month investigation led them to residents and businesses in the city and the county.

Fayetteville police raided a variety thrift shop at 4443 Cumberland Road and a home belonging to one of the suspects at 6913 Arden St. earlier in the day.

Investigators said they also found heroin at the Arden Street house that led them to the raids on Sanderosa Road.