Deputies seize marijuana, cash in raid on Durham home

Durham County sheriff’s deputies seized 31 pounds of marijuana, 158 marijuana plants and more than $40,000 in cash during a raid Thursday on a home in north Durham.

An investigation over several weeks led deputies to the home at 909 Goodwin Road, where they found the drugs, cash, a pistol and items used to prepare marijuana for sale. Deputies estimated the street value of the narcotics at about $835,000.

Deputies said Robert Lewis Carden Jr., 31, ran from the home when deputies entered about 6:30 p.m., but he was quickly captured. He was booked in the Durham County jail on charges of manufacturing marijuana, maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of manufacturing marijuana, trafficking, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession with intent to sell, deliver or manufacture marijuana.

Carden was released Friday on a $100,000 bond.

The North Carolina Department of Revenue assessed a tax value of $66,920 on the narcotics under the unauthorized substances tax law. Carden will be required to pay that amount or face civil penalities.