WINDSOR – An unoccupied residence here at 103 Watco Lane was apparently being used as a place for illegal drug sales, according to Bertie County Sheriff Greg Atkins.

It was Atkins’ department, along with agents assigned to the Roanoke-Chowan Narcotics Task Force (RCNTF), who answered a call on Oct. 9 for what originally appeared as a breaking and entering.

&uot;Once we got to that residence, it was occupied when we knew it wasn’t suppose to be,&uot; said Sheriff Atkins.

Arrested at the scene was a trio of Windsor men – Pierre Williams, 23, of 542 Woodard Rd., Travis Lee, 22, of 201-F Morning Rd. and Jarvis Gladney, 22, of 112-B Pleasant Oak Rd. All were charged with breaking and entering.

Each man was searched as a result of the arrests. At that time, Williams was found to be in possession of crack cocaine. He was additionally charged with possession with intent to sale and deliver cocaine and was jailed under a $15,000 bond.

Meanwhile, Lee was found in possession of drug paraphernalia, bringing an added charge. His bond was set at $5,000, the same for Gladney, whose lone charge remained as breaking and entering.

Answering the call along with Sheriff Atkins were Bertie deputies James Cooper, Ronald Cullipher and Eddie Graham along with RCNTF agents K. Gillam, T. Lewis and J. Asbell.

&uot;These arrests stem from complaints we received from private citizens in regards to suspicious activity at an unoccupied residence,&uot; noted Atkins. &uot;This is a case of where citizens are aware of what is going on in their neighborhoods and did exactly what they should have done – contact law enforcement officers. Citizen interaction with law enforcement is a key element in crime control.&uot;

RCNTF Commander Frank Timberlake echoed Atkins’ comments by saying, &uot;We have seen an increase in information received from citizens. We appreciate their involvement in assisting us in our efforts to make an impact on the illegal drug traffic here in our area.&uot;