DCSO and SBI Seize Over Four Kilos of Fentanyl as Part of Drug Trafficking Investigation
DURHAM, NC (Thursday, February 5, 2026) - As part of an ongoing investigation into the sale of controlled substances in Durham County, investigators from the Sheriff’s Office Anti-Crime and Narcotics unit (SAC/Narc) with assistance from the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) executed a search warrant at a home of a suspected drug dealer on Newland Place in Durham. As a result of the search, law enforcement from both offices located several weapons, including an AR-15 and an AK-style assault rifle, a large sum of cash, and narcotics. Drugs seized were:
- 4.6 kilos Fentanyl
- 3.8kilos Marijuana
- 215 grams Cocaine
- 12 grams Heroin
- 23 grams Mushrooms
Charged in this case is Rodney William Ephraim, age 49. Ephraim is charged with:
- Trafficking in Fentanyl
- MSDP Controlled Substance w/in 1000 feet of a school
- PWIMSD Schedule IV Controlled Substance
- Felony Possession of Marijuana
- Maintain a Veh/Dwell/Place for Controlled Substance
- Trafficking in Opium/Heroin
- Trafficking in Cocaine
- PWISD Cocaine
- PWIMSD Schedule I Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
He is currently being held in the Durham County Detention Center without bond and made a first appearance in Durham County Court this morning.
"Two (2) milligrams can be a lethal dose," said Durham County Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead. "According to DEA data, one (1) kilo of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people. When you consider the population of Durham County is just under 350,000, it's sobering to think of."
The Sheriff's Office is committed to fighting the opioid epidemic. We were the first in the State of North Carolina to offer Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for residents of the detention facility, and our investigators are working with State, local, and Federal officials to stop the flow of these illegal drugs.
