Captain Anzell Harris of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office said the arrest of 29-year-old Ronald Tiotta Burgess was based on an investigation by Agent D.C. Dickens that came from leads provided by Roanoke Rapids police and information that Dickens received from a person who had been sentenced through the federal court system.

Harris declined to name the person and declined to say how long Burgess had been under investigation.

Agents arrived at Burgess's residence shortly before 8:30 p.m. Monday, Harris said in a statement.

Dickens used this information to apply for a search warrant, which was granted.

During the search of the property, with the assistance of Corporal M. Brown and his dog Mallie, agents seized approximately 1,629.94 grams of marijuana and several items of drug paraphernalia which included several mason jars, a box of plastic bags, plastic gloves, a potato chip can with a false compartment, and a digital scale. Street value of the marijuana is $8,000.

No one was home during the execution of the search warrant.

Dickens obtained warrants on Burgess, who Harris described as a reputed mid-level dealer, for felony possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Burgess surrendered to Dickens at the Halifax County Magistrate’s Office around 1:30 today and was given a $30,000 secured bond. He has a January 7 court date.