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WILLIAMSTON – Donta Antwan Valentine and Tineshia Latrice Brown, both of Bertie County, were arrested on drug charges during a traffic stop in Williamston on May 7.

According to Martin County Sheriff Drew Robinson, officers with the Williamston Police Department conducted a traffic stop at around 5:30 p.m. near the intersection of Technology Blvd. and US Hwy. 64.

Upon approaching the vehicle, officers detected an odor of marijuana and observed other plain view evidence that established probable cause to believe that there were controlled substances in the vehicle.

Deputies and officers of the Martin County Narcotics Unit responded to the scene of the traffic stop to assist in the search of the vehicle. During the search, 37 grams of fentanyl, digital scales and approximately $700 in cash were recovered.

Valentine, age 42 of Mount Olive Road, Windsor, was charged with trafficking in opium by transportation, trafficking in opium by possession, possession with intent to manufacture, sale or deliver controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a school, possession with intent to manufacture, sale or deliver Schedule II controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brown, age 34 of Indian Woods Road, Lewiston Woodville, faces the same charges as Valentine.

Sheriff Robinson noted that according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration, two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance and past usage. The seizure of 37 grams of fentanyl would equate to 18,500 potentially lethal doses and has a street value of approximately $10,000.