Drug operation leads to dozens of arrests and drug seizures in Selma

SELMA, NC (WTVD) — A major operation in Johnston County, 10 months in the making, has taken dozens of suspected drug dealers off the streets.

Selma police said “Operation Tainted Candy” resulted in 25 arrests on Tuesday, and SPD seized large amounts of meth, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and more. The sting marks one of the largest in Selma’s history.

“I just think it’s really important that our streets and neighborhoods are safe,” said Vanessa Lopez, a Selma resident and mother of five.

Vanessa’s children range in age from 9 to 20, and she said that means they have to worry quite a bit about their safety and what might be looming on the streets.

“They all fall within the time frame that I would think about, you know, their friendships and the people they spend time with,” she said. “And they also want to cycle around the neighborhood and things like that.”

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As part of the operation, which involved undercover drug buying in Selma over a 10-month period, police busted drugs and suspected drug dealers at several locations, including the Quality Inn and homes on Wood Street and Cypress Court.

“It makes you feel like you’re doing something great for your community, great for the city, and you’re taking bad things off the streets,” said Sgt. Justin Vause with Selma police.

The city’s mayor, Byron McAllister, said he is proud of the work being done to clean up Selma’s streets.

“That’s a blessing for this community, especially a community that’s right off (Interstate) 95 and that sees the effects of drugs up close, up close and personal every day,” McAllister said.

McAllister said that as a father of four, he is reassured knowing how much work is being done to combat drug crime.

“It’s much easier to go to sleep knowing that in the city of Selma there’s always someone watching you,” he said.

Selma PD identified 27 targets as part of Operation Tainted Candy and is still searching for two suspects in the sting. The charges range from simple possession to possession with intent to distribute, to drug trafficking, and more.