RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – A home that burned down and killed a 19-year-old on Jan. 6 was being used as a base for packaging and selling drugs, search warrants obtained Monday show.
Warrants show that the house located at 1409 Porchlight Court near the Raleigh/Garner line where David Israel Benzo Torres died was being used as part of a drug operation.
Investigators found drugs, guns and almost $10,000 in cash inside a bedroom of the house, according to warrants.
The fire started around 5 a.m. last Wednesday and was reported to authorities after a neighbor noticed the fire and called 911. By the time firefighters got to the scene, it was too late, officials.
When Wake County investigators and ATF agents went inside the house to try to find out how the fire started, they saw marijuana and AR-15 semi-automatic rifle in plain sight, warrants show.
The drugs were wrapped up in individual packages and a metal safe was found next to the AR-15.
A neighbor told WNCN the people living 1409 Porchlight Court rented it about two months ago. That neighbor also said there was always a lot of activity at the home with people coming and going at all hours.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.