WINDSOR – What started as a routine check of parolees ended in the significant discovery of marijuana here recently.

Anthony &uot;Top&uot; Williams and Annette Latush Craig, both of Windsor, were jailed under a combined $301,000 bond on a variety of drug charges. Another man, Tywone L. Gilliam, who shares an apartment with Craig at Windsor Oaks, is currently being sought on similar charges by Bertie County law enforcement.

According to Frank Timberlake, a detective with the Narcotics Division of the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office, random searches of Windsor area parolees were conducted Jan. 12 by members of the Windsor Police Department and the North Carolina Division of Probation and Parole.

As Windsor Police officers Rick Morris and Herman Purvis along with Parole officer Randy Skinner approached the Windsor Oaks Apartments, the lawmen observed some people gathered in an area allegedly known for the sell of cocaine and marijuana.

&uot;The officers noticed a person known ‘Top’ Williams leave the crowd and dart into one of the apartments,&uot; Timberlake said. &uot;There was a book bag left at this location and when the officers asked whose book bag it belonged to, they were told it belonged to ‘Top’.&uot;

Timberlake went on to say that Morris picked up the bag and felt what he believed to be a pistol. Officers immediately went into the apartment at 1502 Windsor Oaks, where they saw Williams enter upon their arrival. Officers detained Williams, who they knew to be a convicted felon, and completed a search of the bag, finding approximately two pounds of marijuana and a .380 semi-automatic pistol along with a approximately $2,700 in currency. These items were seized from Williams.

Windsor Police along with the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office and the NC Probation and Parole Office secured the residence until Narcotics Division Detective Kenny Gilliam could obtain a search warrant.

After obtaining the warrant from a local magistrate, officers searched the residence, finding additional illegal property.

The residence was rented by Craig, who was present at the time of the search.

Officers recovered digital scales, an approximate one-half pound of marijuana, packaging material, guns and $600 in US currency.

There was also more marijuana found that had been broken down and packaged for sell.

Through further investigations, officers determine that this apartment was in control of Craig and T. Gilliam, who was not present at the time of the search.

Williams was arrested and charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, felony possession of more than one and one-half ounces of marijuana, employing a minor in a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a stolen firearm. He was placed in the Bertie Martin Regional Jail under a $226,000 bond.

Craig, detained under a $75,000 bond, faces charges of felonious possession of more than one and one-half ounces of marijuana, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, manufacturing marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

An arrest warrant was obtained for T. Gilliam. He is wanted on the same charges lodged against Craig.

Timberlake said that T. Gilliam remains at-large. Anyone having knowledge of

his whereabouts should call the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office (794-5330) or the Windsor Police Department (794-2331).