Continued investigation into a shooting in the 300 block of Franklin Street Thursday has led to the arrest of two people on drug charges. 

Police continue to look for a man tied to the two and one of the women originally arrested who made bond.

Roanoke Rapids police Chief Bobby Martin said this morning Antwan Smith, 38, is being sought on drug counts reflecting the sale of narcotics in the neighborhood. He is not considered a suspect in the Thursday shooting. “The only thing he’s a suspect in is the drug trade in Roanoke Rapids.”

Smith tends to frequent different areas in the city, Martin said.

The two people arrested Friday lived with Smith at 341 Franklin Street, Martin said.

They are Hunter Peterson, 33, and Brittany Holland, 22.

Their arrests Friday came as investigators, narcotics agents and the Proactive Community Engagement Team were in the area to address multiple citizen complaints in the neighborhood and do a canvas related to the Thursday shooting, Martin said in a statement.

During the canvas, Officer J. DeSare of the PACE Team, had recently observed drug activity at this location. 

He talked with the occupants at 341 Franklin and smelled marijuana and observed drugs and paraphernalia in plain view.

A search warrant by DeSare was granted and agents seized marijuana, cocaine, Xanax, Tramadol, Suboxone, and other controlled substances. Agents also seized multiple items of paraphernalia, a firearm, ammunition, and United States currency.

Agents arrested and charged Peterson and Holland. Smith was not at the residence at the time the search warrant was served.

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Since Peterson’s release from jail on the original charges, continued investigation by DeSare has led to additional counts being lodged against her and she along with Smith are being sought. Peterson frequents the Roanoke Rapids area.

Martin said in the statement Smith and Peterson are encouraged to surrender to the police department.

The trio from the Friday search warrant face charges of maintaining a dwelling, possession with intent to sell and deliver schedule II, possession with intent to sell and deliver schedule III, possession with intent to sell and deliver schedule IV, possession with intent to sell and deliver schedule VI and possession of marijuana paraphernalia. Smith also faces a count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

Martin said in the statement the police department has been in contact with the federal government for potential adoption of the case.

While Martin would not rank Smith’s reputed level in the drug trade, he said, “He had a fairly lucrative business going on.”

Asked whether Smith was one of the main contributors to the problems in the neighborhood, Martin said, “Anyone selling narcotics in that area is a problem and the Roanoke Rapids Police Department will work to make sure we make contact with them and tell them we’re not going to tolerate it.”

Martin said detectives continue to probe the two shootings, the one which occurred Thursday and one Sunday night. “We feel pretty confident on warrants being obtained. We’re hoping the feds will adopt (the cases) and give them a long time  to think.”

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Peterson and Smith or either shooting is encouraged to contact the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.