Lawmen say raid on store led to bulk of heroin bust

Narcotics agents from the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office continue to follow leads after a record heroin bust Tuesday afternoon.

Lawmen from several agencies raided four homes and a business that turned up more than $300,000 in heroin.

Sheriff Moose Butler and Fayetteville Police Chief Tom Bergamine said they were led to the bulk of the find after a raid at a thrift store at 4443 Cumberland Road turned up several bricks of heroin.

The primary target in Tuesday's raids was the residence at 3485 Sanderosa Road.

The residence sits about seven miles northeast of downtown Fayetteville near Temple Baptist Church.

Butler said the home was part of a larger drug trafficking ring that spans the county.

The owner of the residence, 69-year-old Robert McNatt, has not been charged.

McNatt was at the property Tuesday when lawmen searched the premises. He could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

McNatt has served time in prison for perjury and selling and possessing a controlled substance, according to records from the N.C. Department of Correction. He also was convicted of having untaxed liquor, or moonshine, in 1979, according to correction records.

He also was convicted in federal court in 1989 of possession with intent to distribute more than 1,000 grams of cocaine, according to court records.

At the time, McNatt was a hog farmer and owner and operator of R.M. Grocery at 2009 Murchison Road, according to court records.

On Tuesday, investigators said they found 3,000 doses of heroin, 75 grams of marijuana, two video poker machines, 96 ounces of moonshine and a handgun at McNatt's residence.

One of McNatt's relatives - Michael Strickland McNatt, 35, of the 3900 block of Arden Court - was charged Wednesday with trafficking heroin. Bail was set at $100,000. Sheriff's officials would not say how the two men are related.

The Sheriff's Office is still looking for Michael McNatt's girlfriend, Michella Rena McNeill, 37. A warrant has been issued charging her with trafficking heroin.

Reggie Lamar Raynor, 38, of the 3400 block of Sanderosa Road, also was charged Wednesday with trafficking heroin. Bail was set at $240,000.

Narcotics agents said Raynor is a known acquaintance of Robert and Michael McNatt.