RENICK W.Va. (WVDN) – According to a criminal complaint, officers from the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant in the vicinity of Renick in Greenbrier County. As the officers arrived at the residence, one of them saw an individual identified as Obie Bennett allegedly throw an orange plastic box into the bushes as he was walking up the road. An officer retrieved the orange box and reportedly found what looked like 17 grams of a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, a small baggie containing a white powder-like substance thought to be fentanyl and another baggie containing a green leafy substance thought to be marijuana. Also found in the box was a set of digital scales.
It’s stated in the criminal complaint that when the officers searched the house and property, they found a Marlin 17 HMR rifle with a box of ammunition inside a nylon case. Officers found the rifle inside a vehicle belonging to Bennett. There were six other individuals on the property at the time, including the officers. One of the females reportedly gave a video statement recorded on the officer’s body camera, stating that Bennett had given her methamphetamine in the last couple of days. Another statement was allegedly recorded from a male saying Bennett paid him in methamphetamine for work done around his residence a couple of days ago.
Greenbrier County Sheriff Bart Baker released the following statement regarding the arrest:
“On October 26 at approximately 0600, the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Street Crimes Unit executed a search warrant at 312 Pleasant Lane in Renick, West Virginia. Obie Bennett, the owner of the residence, was taken into custody. The warrant was obtained based on witness testimony of Mr. Bennett dealing in illegal narcotics and stolen goods from the Greenbrier County area. During the execution of that search warrant, firearms and illegal drugs were located and seized. Seventeen grams of methamphetamine, five grams of fentanyl, twenty grams of marijuana and another forty grams of a substance believed to be fentanyl were seized. Deputies also located multiple digital scales and other drug paraphernalia inside the residence. Investigators interviewed several subjects that were staying at the home, two of which gave statements that Mr. Bennett supplied them with methamphetamine in exchange for work around the residence. Mr. Bennett was charged with three counts of possession with the intent to deliver narcotics, two counts of delivery of methamphetamine and one charge of prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
“Mr. Bennett was taken into custody and transported to the Greenbrier County Courthouse for processing and arraignment then to Southern Regional Jail. Lt. S. Hudnall is the lead investigator on this case.
“I would like to commend the deputies for their hard work. The men and women of the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Office is work diligently daily to stem the overwhelming amount of drugs that are pouring into this area. We will continue to work tirelessly to end this epidemic and bring the ones dealing this poison to justice.
“Greenbrier County Prosecutor Campbell expresses my sincere appreciation to the Sheriff’s Department for their efforts and commitment. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who traffic dangerous narcotics are brought to justice.”
According to court records, Bennett was found guilty of felony drug charges and felony firearm possession charges in Allegheny County, VA, on Feb. 21, 2022.
At the time of writing, Bennett is in Southern Regional Jail with bail set at $30,000.
