United States Magistrate Judge Kimberly A. Swank today found probable cause to continue with proceedings in the meth trafficking case of Lavonta Bradley Johnson, according to court records.

She also ruled that the 35-year-old Roanoke Rapids man was not suitable for pretrial release and ordered him detained pending trial.

While no further documents were immediately available for public inspection, a minute entry in the court record notes that counsel for both the government and Johnson were present in Greenville for probable cause and detention hearings.

A criminal complaint filed earlier this month ties Johnson to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Johnson was charged locally in August after agents with the Halifax Regional Drug and Gang Task Force seized a backpack from the crawlspace of his Brigman Street home containing approximately 900 grams of methamphetamine, 115 grams of fentanyl, and a metal "quarter brick" narcotics press.

Officers also seized suspected marijuana, an additional small amount of fentanyl, and five firearms.