North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) special agents have concluded a month-long investigation into fentanyl trafficking at ABC-licensed establishments in Spring Lake and the Anderson Creek community in Harnett County, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety said in a release dated October 23.
During the investigation, undercover ALE agents seized more than 30 grams of fentanyl, equivalent to approximately 15,400 lethal doses, from Christopher Johnston, the department said. Each of the undercover purchases occurred at ABC-licensed establishments in Spring Lake. Spot On North Carolina, republishing the department's release on October 23, carried the same figures and charge list.
On October 22, ALE agents, assisted by the Harnett County Sheriff's Office, arrested Johnston and executed a search warrant at a home in Spring Lake, the department said. During the search, agents said they seized cocaine, opioids, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana and more than $12,000 in cash.
During the arrest, Johnston allegedly attempted to run over several law enforcement officers while trying to flee, leaving one agent with minor injuries, the department said. He was taken to the Harnett County Detention Center and held without bond. The attempt-to-flee account is the department's allegation; the case has not been decided in court.
Christopher William Johnston, 34, of Spring Lake faces 10 counts of felony trafficking in fentanyl, two counts of felony conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl, two counts of felony maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance, felony assault on a law-enforcement officer causing physical injury, felony trafficking in opium, felony possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a law-enforcement officer, injury to personal property, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, the department said.
Agents also charged Johnston's brother, Nicholas Jacob Johnston, 36, of Spring Lake, with three counts of felony trafficking in fentanyl, felony conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia, the department said, adding that at the time of the release Nicholas Johnston had not yet been arrested. Both men's charges are allegations, and both are presumed innocent until proven guilty.