A Pennsylvania couple face opium trafficking charges following an investigation Wednesday by the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.

The arrests of Michael Pierce Jr. and Jamie Westcott began when police launched a larceny investigation at a business on Julian R. Allsbrook Highway, acting Chief Gorton Williams said.

Video footage helped officers develop a description of a man and woman and confirmed they were traveling in a U-Haul van.

Sergeant D. Newsome observed a van at a local gas station and noticed the same man and woman from the theft.

Williams said Newsome observed Pierce actively using narcotics in the vehicle.

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After the occupants were removed from the vehicle a search yielded the following amounts of drugs:

27.5 grams of heroin

92 Suboxone strips

Six Suboxone pills

Eight dosage units of Clonazepam

1 gram of marijuana

Pierce, of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, and Westcott, of Reading, Pennsylvania, were both charged with the following:

Felony trafficking opium or heroin by transporting

Felony trafficking opium or heroin by possession

Felony possession of schedule I 

Possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver heroin

Possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver schedule III 

Maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance

Simple possession of schedule III 

Possession of marijuana up to one-half ounce 

Possession of drug paraphernalia

Possession of marijuana paraphernalia

Larceny after removing anti-theft device

Felony conspiracy

Misdemeanor larceny

Misdemeanor possession of stolen goods

Pierce received an $82,000 secured bond while Westcott received a $100,000 unsecured bond and a $19,999 secured bond for warrants later served. 

Both have April 27 district court dates

Lieutenant D. Jenkins, officers T. Smith and D. Norfleet, and narcotics Officer C. Batchelor assisted.