Two Gaston residents and two Virginia men were arrested and charged Tuesday with cocaine trafficking following the execution of a search warrant in the Mt. Gallant Drive area.

The search warrant was jointly executed by the Down East Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and the Halifax Regional Drug and Gang Task Force, said Captain Patrick Jacobs of the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office.

The search warrant stemmed from an ongoing investigation into trafficking throughout Halifax and Northampton counties, Jacobs said.

The search of the residence and property resulted in the seizure of 5 kilograms — approximately 5,000 grams — of compressed powdered cocaine, three firearms, and numerous items utilized to prepare and package illegal narcotics. 

The street value of the cocaine is approximately $150,000.

In the gallery from left: Brian Gonzalez, Broady, Eric Gonzalez and Leroy

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Task force agents arrested and charged the following :

LoRandy Broady of Gaston — trafficking in cocaine — 5,000 grams — possession of a firearm by a convicted felon,  felony possession with intent to sell/deliver schedule II, felony maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for the sale of controlled substances, felony conspiracy, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Broady was taken before a Northampton County magistrate and received a $55,000 secured bond. He has a May 21 district court date.

Jessica Leroy of Gaston — the same charges as Broady with the exception of the firearm count. She received a $41,000 secured bond and May 30 district court date.

Eric Keith Gonzalez of Chester, Virginia — two counts of trafficking in cocaine — 5,000 grams — felony possession with intent to sell/deliver a schedule II controlled substance, felony maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for the sale of a controlled substance, felony conspiracy, possession of a concealed handgun, possession of marijuana, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia. He was taken before a Northampton County magistrate and received a $41,000 secured bond and May 30 district court date.

Brian Mitchell Gonzalez — the same charges and bond as Eric Gonzalez. No court date was immediately available. Eric and Brian are brothers.

“I’m very proud of the dedication shown by the Down East Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and the Halifax Regional Drug and Gang Task Force members,” Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith said. “By working together, we can keep extremely dangerous drugs from flooding our streets and keep our citizens safe. This office is dedicated to our citizens and aims to effectively detect and apprehend criminals who terrorize our communities.” 

Halifax County Sheriff Tyree Davis said he is thankful for the multiple law enforcement agencies involved and their hard work and dedication “to each other and our communities. I want the law-abiding citizens and the criminals in our communities to know that our agencies have joined to rid our communities of crime. We will use every local, state, and federal resource available to make sure our citizens have safe communities for our children to play in, our parents to work, and our grandparents to retire.”