A significant drug bust in Craven County has led to the seizure of a variety of illegal drugs, edibles, vape products, and weapons from a mobile home in Vanceboro, according to Sheriff Chip Hughes. The operation, which took place last Thursday at 220 Oak Grove Rd., was the result of months of investigation and collaboration between the Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, and the State Bureau of Investigation.

This is an operation they’ve been working on for months, and he’s never seen anything like it, Sheriff Hughes told us, emphasizing the potential impact the seized items could have had on children.

The investigation began with a community tip, leading to the arrest of two men who are now facing several charges. Both are being held under a $1.2 million bond.

Jerry Bennett Anderson, 33, of Vanceboro and Cameron Arthur Shepard, 26, of New Bern both received the following charges:

• Trafficking in Opium.
• Trafficking in Cocaine.
• Trafficking in Marijuana.
• Possession with the intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule I controlled substances.
• Possession with the intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule II-controlled substances.
• Possession with the intent to sell/deliver synthetic cannabinoid.
• Maintaining a dwelling for the sale of controlled substances.

Sheriff Hughes noted that the seized items filled most of the courtroom and took two days to inventory. The case remains under investigation, and Hughes predicts that most of the products will be destroyed after the investigation concludes.