Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

On Thursday, Sept. 5, around 5:30 p.m., the Greenville Police Department Special Response Team executed a search warrant in coordination with the Drug Task Force on Chalet Drive. 

Lionel Johnson, a 45-year-old Greenville resident, was arrested and charged with drug trafficking, possession with intent to distribute and multiple firearms violations. 

“[Suspects have] been under the task force’s investigation for a while and we were finally able to come up with enough for a warrant,” Police Chief Justin Lovvorn said. “We definitely needed [the drugs] off the streets.”

During the search, officers seized four guns, more than two pounds of illegal drugs and over $1,000 in cash. The search warrant followed an extensive investigation that identified probable cause for illegal drug activity at the residence.

The case will now be referred to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for potential federal charges.

“We have a few more coming up in the future that are already in the works,” Lovvorn added.