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AHOSKIE – Three men from Ahoskie are now in federal custody on gun and drug charges following their arrests here this week.

Rodney Lamont Evans, age 46, Quayshaun Deonte Howington, age 32, and 27-year-old Nyiawaun Maurkece Ezell were taken into custody by the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office, Ahoskie Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Sheriff Dexter Hayes said those law enforcement agencies have been investigating the three men for their criminal activity in Hertford County.

“This was a significant victory against the illegal sale of drugs and guns as well as other criminal activity that has been occurring in and around Hertford County. The operation resulted in the arrest of three individuals involved in illegal activities that have been plaguing our community,” Hayes stated.

Evans, arrested on Wednesday, faces federal charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base (crack), and possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Howington’s federal charges include three counts of transfer of machineguns, dealing firearms without a license, and distributing a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. He was arrested on Tuesday.

Federal charges against Ezell, arrested on Sunday, are three counts of receipt of a firearm while under felony indictment, one count of knowingly making a materially false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer, one count of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of oxycodone, and one count of possession of firearm in the furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Hayes said the arrests were made in an ongoing effort to dismantle criminal activity in Hertford County, and to suppress the gang and drug crimes in local communities.

“These individuals were involved in the distribution and sale of illicit substances and guns, contributing to the rise in drug and gang related crimes in our community,” Hayes stated.

He praised the agencies involved in the arrest of the trio.

“The operation was a result of months of meticulous planning and collaboration between various law enforcement units, including the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office, the Ahoskie Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Hayes noted. “Their combined efforts and unwavering commitment to public safety have made our community a little safer.

“The success of this operation serves as a reminder that our local, state and federal law enforcement partners are dedicated to protecting our community and will continue to work to protect and serve and to preserve life. We extend our gratitude to all the officers involved in this operation for their hard work and commitment to keeping our citizens safe,” the Sheriff said.

Justin Farmer, Ahoskie’s interim police chief, said he appreciates the importance of partnerships between local law enforcement, state, and federal authorities.

“The collaborative effort and arrests made shows how important these relationships are when it relates to violent criminals,” Farmer stressed. “I am committed to making Ahoskie a safer community for our citizens, and the Ahoskie Police Department is dedicated to working together with all law enforcement agencies – local, state and federal – to combat the increasing number of narcotics, gang related crimes, and violent crimes in Ahoskie and the surrounding counties. These arrests were a result of a collaborative effort by all agencies working together.”

Hayes and Farmer encouraged local residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to local authorities.