Smithfield, NC Police Department

06/13/2026

The Smithfield Police Department served a search warrant today at 1102 Harris St. in Smithfield. The investigation began after citizen complaints regarding drug dealing and the illegal sale of alcohol at this location. The address has also been the site of four shootings within the past five years.

As a result of the investigation and ex*****on of the search warrant, Smithfield Narcotics Detectives seized co***ne, ma*****na, drug paraphernalia, ma*****na paraphernalia, U.S. currency, vehicles, and handguns. The search warrant led to the arrest of Jimmy Junior Rayford, who was charged with the following offenses:

1. Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Co***ne
2. Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Ma*****na
3. Three Counts of Maintaining a Vehicle or Dwelling for the Sale or Delivery of Narcotics
4. Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
5. Possession of a Stolen Firearm
6. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
7. Possession of Ma*****na Paraphernalia

Rayford was placed in the Johnston County Detention Center under no bond pending his first appearance in Smithfield District Court.

Statement from Smithfield Police Chief Pete Hedrick

“Thank you to the citizens who were brave enough to come forward and share information with us. Thank you to my officers for their hard work and dedication to making Smithfield a safer community.

To the drug dealers, I hope you were watching. Today, multiple agencies worked together to reduce narcotics-related crime in Smithfield, including the North Carolina State Highway Patrol Special Operations Helicopter, the Johnston County Sheriff’s STAR Team and BearCat, SBI agents, and ALE agents.

Together, we have the resources and coordinated capabilities to find you, investigate you, and put you in jail. Smithfield and Johnston County are safer because of the strong partnership between our agencies.”

“We would also like to thank Sheriff Steve Bizzell, his staff, and all of the state agencies involved for their continued support and the professional relationships we have built.”

The investigation remains active, and several additional suspects have pending charges.

06/12/2026

🚔💻 June is Internet Safety Month 💻🚔

Did you know that in 2025, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received approximately 21.3 million CyberTipline reports? More than 53,000 of those reports were considered urgent or involved a child in imminent danger.

As children spend more time online, it is critical for parents and caregivers to stay involved in their digital lives. Know the apps they use, who they are communicating with, and the risks they may encounter online.

⚠️ Sextortion is real, and it is becoming increasingly common. Offenders often use threats, manipulation, and fear to coerce children and teens into sending intimate images. Once an image is sent, it can be difficult—or impossible—to take it back.

Talk with your children about online safety. Encourage them to come to you if something doesn’t feel right, and remind them that they will never be in trouble for asking for help.

👀 If you see something, say something.

📍 Report suspected online child exploitation:
https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/cybertipline

📍 Need help removing or preventing the spread of an intimate image?
https://takeitdown.ncmec.org

06/05/2026

06/04/2026

We are requesting the public’s assistance in locating a stolen 2017 Polaris Rzr 1000, reported stolen on June 1, 2026, bearing NC registration plate VAV7905. If you have information regarding its whereabouts, please contact Detective Miller at 919-934-2121 or submit an anonymous tip via our app.

06/04/2026

🚨🚨DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC ALERT

UPDATE (2:05pm) - Piedmont Natural Gas has stopped the leaked and will be making repairs for a little while longer. However, we will be clearing the scene shortly and reopening the road. Thank you for your patience.

The Smithfield, NC Police Department and Smithfield Fire Department are assisting with a natural gas leak on the 400 block of Second Street between Riverside and Davis. Please avoid Second Street and this area if at all possible. Crews are on site and we expect the closure to last a couple of hours.

06/02/2026

Officer Jax is off to school! 🐾

This week marks the beginning of Officer Jax’s journey as a police canine as he and his handler, Officer Landon, attend their first training program together at East Coast Canine.

East Coast Canine specializes in training police canine teams for patrol work, narcotics detection, and tracking. Jax and Officer Landon are enrolled in the 8-week Basic Police Canine Training Program offered through Edgecombe Community College in Tarboro, NC. This comprehensive course is designed to train the handler and canine as a team, building the skills, confidence, and partnership needed for successful law enforcement service.

Upon successful completion of the program, Jax and Officer Landon will return to duty fully certified and ready to begin patrol operations in service to our community.

Please join us in wishing Officer Jax and Officer Landon the best of luck as they begin this exciting new chapter. We look forward to seeing all they accomplish together! 🚔🐕‍🦺

05/29/2026

ARMED SUSPECT ARRESTED FOLLOWING ROBBERY AND KIDNAPPING INCIDENT

On May 29, 2026, Smithfield Police officers arrested Nobbie Dubose following an armed robbery and kidnapping incident that began at the Speedway gas station located at 2103 S. Brightleaf Boulevard.

The investigation revealed that Dubose entered the business while armed with a firearm. Once inside, he blocked the entrance and attempted to lock the door, preventing the store clerk from leaving for approximately five minutes.

During this time, another customer entered the store. As the customer exited the business, Dubose followed him outside while still armed. Dubose entered the driver's seat of the victim's vehicle and began to drive away before stopping and ordering the victim into the passenger seat.

The victim was able to provide location updates to 911 Communications personnel while inside the vehicle. Using the information provided by the victim, Smithfield Police officers located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop near U.S. 70 Business West and Fairway Drive.

Dubose was taken into custody without incident. At the time of his arrest, he was found to be in possession of a Smith & Wesson revolver.

Dubose was charged with:• Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon• First-Degree Kidnapping• Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

Dubose received no bond.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be pending.

05/26/2026

In February 2026, officers with the Smithfield Police Department responded to 307 Wilson’s Mills Road in Smithfield in reference to a death investigation. Detectives were notified and responded to the scene. During the investigation, information was developed indicating that controlled substances were being used and possibly distributed from the residence. Narcotics Detectives were notified and initiated an investigation into the residence and the death, which is being investigated as a possible overdose case.

On May 22, 2026, Smithfield Narcotics Detectives, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, served a fugitive arrest warrant and a search warrant at the residence.

During the search, Detectives located fentanyl, methamphetamine, ma*****na, Suboxone, drug paraphernalia, and ma*****na paraphernalia. Detectives arrested three individuals including Amber Nicole Castleberry, who was charged with the following offenses:
-Trafficking in Fentanyl
-Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine)
-Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver a Schedule VI Controlled Substance (Ma*****na)
-Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver a Schedule III Controlled Substance (Suboxone)
-Maintaining a Dwelling for Keeping Controlled Substances
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Possession of Ma*****na Paraphernalia
-Harboring a Fugitive

These arrests are the result of the strong partnership between the Smithfield Police Department and our federal law enforcement partners in the ongoing effort to combat illegal narcotics activity within our community.

Chief Hedrick stated, “The individuals who distribute these deadly drugs are poisoning our communities, and far too often, the result is the loss of life. The Smithfield Police Department will continue to work tirelessly alongside our local, state, and federal partners to investigate and prosecute those responsible for distributing narcotics in our community. If you choose to sell this poison, know that we will use every resource available to hold you accountable and bring you to justice.”

Additional charges are pending in this investigation.

05/25/2026

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice and courage will never be forgotten.

From all of us at the Smithfield Police Department, we wish everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

05/23/2026

The Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s “Memorial Day Click It or Ticket" campaign is underway! Local law enforcement, including our agency is participating in a statewide enforcement campaign to remind drivers of the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt.