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-Press Release and photos, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

Over the past three months, members of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, The Lake Royale Company Police, Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, State Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Administration, conducted an undercover investigation into the illegal distribution of cocaine occurring between Benson, NC and Lake Royale, NC. 

During this investigation, agents conducted numerous undercover operations and were able to purchase cocaine from Bryon Keith Lee in Franklin County. Agents discovered that Bryon Keith Lee was being supplied cocaine by John Allen Lee Sr. in Benson, NC. 

On December 5, 2019, agents conducted an undercover operation in which 56 grams of cocaine were seized during a traffic stop on Bryon K. Lee and Amber Lee. During the traffic stop, a 5-year old minor was located inside the vehicle.

Agents executed a search warrant at a residence in Benson, NC and at the residence of Bryon and Amber Lee, in the Lake Royale Community of Franklin County. As a result of the search warrants, 347 grams of cocaine, marijuana, an undisclosed amount of US Currency and three firearms were seized. Agents discovered that one of the firearms was reported stolen. 

During this investigation, a total of 484 grams of cocaine, bulk currency, marijuana and three firearms (one stolen) were seized in Franklin and Johnston Counties. 

Sheriff Kent Winstead stated, “Anytime we are able to remove this amount of drugs from our community, it is a good day. During this investigation, we were able to coordinate with our local, state and federal partners to ensure that we disrupted this drug activity and its source. I can’t say enough about the professionalism and teamwork displayed by all of the agencies involved.” 

Bryon K. Lee was placed in the Johnston County Detention Center under a $1,880,000 secured bond.

John Allen Lee Sr. was placed in the Johnston County Detention Center under a $300,000 secured bond. 

Charges include: 

Bryon K. Lee – 42 years old – 132 Turon Drive Louisburg, NC 27549

Possess with Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine (6 Counts), Sell Cocaine (6 Counts), Maintain a Vehicle for the purpose of Selling Controlled Substance (7 Counts), Trafficking in Cocaine (5 Counts), Sell Controlled Substance within 1000 feet of a park.

John Allen Lee Sr. – 62 years old – 313 N. Hall Street Benson, NC 27504

Trafficking in Cocaine (5 Counts), Possession of a Firearm by Felon, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Maintain a Dwelling for the purpose of Selling Controlled Substance. 

This investigation is continuing, and more charges are expected.

If you have information regarding this case or if you would like to report drug activity in your community, please contact Sgt. Ken Pike at (919) 496-2186.