Johnston County Man Arrested in Major Drug Bust

Authorities seized heroin, meth, marijuana, and over $25,000 in cash during search of Kenly home.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:04am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small pile of orange methamphetamine pills against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A recent drug bust in Johnston County uncovered a large-scale narcotics operation, exposing the ongoing challenges in combating the opioid crisis.Kenly Today

A man has been arrested and charged with multiple drug trafficking offenses after authorities in Johnston County, North Carolina executed a search warrant and discovered a large quantity of heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana, as well as over $25,000 in cash, at a home in the Kenly area.

Why it matters

This bust represents a significant crackdown on the drug trade in the region, with the seized narcotics and cash indicating a large-scale operation. It also highlights the ongoing efforts by local and federal law enforcement to combat the opioid epidemic and other drug-related crimes impacting communities.

The details

According to the Johnston County Sheriff's Office, deputies from the narcotics division and U.S. federal agents searched a home on Richardson-Bass Road in Kenly and found around 131 grams of heroin, 65.8 grams of methamphetamine pills, 12 pounds of marijuana, and $25,371 in cash. The suspect, Manuel Rivera Sanchez, was already on probation for distributing methamphetamine.

  • The search and arrest occurred on April 2, 2026.

The players

Manuel Rivera Sanchez

A man arrested and charged with multiple drug trafficking offenses after authorities discovered a large quantity of heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana, as well as over $25,000 in cash, at his home in Kenly, North Carolina.

Johnston County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that conducted the search warrant and drug bust operation in Kenly, North Carolina.

U.S. Federal Agents

Federal law enforcement officials who assisted the Johnston County Sheriff's Office in executing the search warrant and drug bust operation.

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What’s next

Sanchez is being held on a $1.1 million bond and is facing charges of trafficking in heroin, trafficking in methamphetamines, trafficking in marijuana, felony maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The takeaway

This major drug bust in Johnston County demonstrates the ongoing efforts by local and federal authorities to combat the opioid epidemic and disrupt large-scale drug trafficking operations impacting communities. The seizure of a significant quantity of heroin, meth, and marijuana, along with a large amount of cash, indicates the scale of the criminal enterprise that was dismantled.