VANCEBORO, Craven County — Michael Devon Tripp, 37, was arrested following a joint operation by the Craven County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Bureau and New Bern Police Department’s Narcotics Unit.
On July 29, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Tripp’s residence on US 17 Hwy N, part of an ongoing investigation into his suspected role in distributing narcotics linked to several non-fatal overdoses in Craven County. Patrol deputies responding to those overdoses traced the drugs back to Tripp.
A traffic stop on Tripp provided probable cause for the search warrant. During the search, authorities seized 115 grams of fentanyl, 50 grams of MDMA, 5.5 grams of marijuana, and $6,000 in cash.
Tripp faces multiple felony charges, including two counts of trafficking opium/heroin, felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver MDA/MDMA, and felony maintaining a vehicle, dwelling, or place for controlled substance sales.
He remains held at the Craven County Detention Center under a $2 million secured bond.
Tripp was previously sentenced in July 2018 for drug trafficking offenses and was released in April 2024.
