KINSTON — Two men were arrested — one on multiple drug charges — following the execution of a search warrant in the 600 block of Darden Drive in the Meadowbrook neighborhood.

Ricky Allen Taylor was arrested after members of the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office SRT team and the Kinston Police Department’s SWAT team executed a search warrant at Taylor’s residence on Darden Drive. The search warrant was pursuant to an ongoing narcotics investigation; the search was conducted by the LCSO’s narcotics unit along with the KPD’s VCAT unit.

During the search of the residence, detectives discovered methamphetamine, cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Multiple items were seized as evidence that indicated controlled substances were being distributed from the residence.

Taylor was arrested and charged with multiple state drug charges that include:

·      One count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a Schedule II controlled substance

·      One count of possession of cocaine

·      One count maintaining a dwelling for keep and sale of controlled substance

·      One count possession of drug paraphernalia

Taylor received a secured bond for the above charges.

During the execution of the search warrant, Steven Whaley was on scene. Whaley was arrested for an outstanding order for arrest; he received an unsecured bond. Lenoir County Sheriff Jackie Rogers said he signed a nuisance abatement complaint on the property the day he was sworn into office on Dec. 5.

“This property has been a nuisance to the neighborhood and for our county,” Sheriff Rogers said. “We will not tolerate the consistent sale of narcotics in this neighborhood or any neighborhood in our county. We are moving forward with Alcohol Law Enforcement and our county attorney to take the property from the owner under the nuisance abatement ordinance.”