Pitt County man was arrested following traffic stop

A Pitt County man was arrested on narcotics-related charges following a proactive traffic stop.

On March 17, 2026, Detectives with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, in coordination with the Kinston Police Department VCAT Unit, were conducting proactive patrols in the area of Grifton Hugo Road. During patrol, detectives observed a white Ford Focus operating with a non-functioning driver-side headlight and initiated a traffic stop.

Detectives made contact with the driver, identified as Richard Barnes, 57, of Grifton, North Carolina. During the course of the stop, a K-9 unit with the Kinston Police Department was requested to assist. Upon arrival, the K-9 conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle and provided a positive alert.

A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in detectives locating approximately 116 grams of methamphetamine in the trunk. Barnes was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Lenoir County Jail.

Barnes has been charged with the following offenses:

Trafficking Methamphetamine (2 counts)

Barnes was not granted a bond due to being on pretrial release for other criminal charges at the time of his arrest.

This case highlights the strong partnership between the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and the Kinston Police Department VCAT Unit. Through proactive patrol efforts and coordinated enforcement strategies, detectives were able to successfully remove a significant quantity of methamphetamine from the community. This incident reflects the continued commitment of both agencies to work collaboratively in enhancing public safety and combating illegal narcotic activity.