The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office reported the following, according to Major Anzell Harris:

On Wednesday shortly before 10:45 a.m., Community Action Team Sergeant G. Martin was stationary in Weldon on Highway 301 near the Weldon bridge when he observed a motor vehicle violation.

Martin initiated a vehicle stop and spoke with the occupants — the driver Radre Britt, 25, and his mother, 49-year-old Rachel Earquhart, both of Weldon. 

Martin detected the strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle, and the occupants stated they had smoked previously inside it. Martin requested assistance and also noticed a firearm inside the vehicle. 

Several deputies and officers with the Weldon Police Department arrived to assist.

During a search, multiple individually packaged dosage units of crack cocaine and four dosage units of hydrocodone were seized.

Upon inspection of the firearm, the serial number was filed off.

Britt was arrested and charged with felony alter/remove gun serial number, felony carrying a concealed firearm, driving while license revoked, and expired registration number plate.

Britt remains in the Halifax County Detention Center without the opportunity for bond. He has an October 23 district court date.

Earquhart was arrested and charged with felony possession of cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, simple possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Earquhart also had an outstanding warrant for arrest from Hertford County. 

She received a $10,000 bond for the Halifax County charges and a $40,000 bond for the Hertford County warrant.

She has the same district court date as her son.

Firearm by felon charge

On Tuesday around 2:30 p.m., Martin was patrolling the area of Highway 125 near American Legion Road in Roanoke Rapids when he noticed a motor vehicle violation and stopped the vehicle.

The passenger was identified as Michael Jones, 35, of Roanoke Rapids.

Agent B. Murphy and his dog Raven conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle. Raven alerted to the presence of narcotics, and a bookbag was located on the passenger floorboard. The bag contained a handgun and marijuana.

Martin arrested and charged Jones with possession of a firearm by a felon, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia. 

Jones received a $17,500 bond with an October 23 district court date.