DOBSON — Officers arrested two Mount Airy men this week on drug charges after searching their residence and seizing drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Surry County Sheriff’s Office deputies, assisted by the Mount Airy Police Department, served a search warrant at 367 W. Imogene Church Road, Mount Airy, after receiving complaints from citizens in the community.

The search resulted in the seizure of crack cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, which included smoking pipes and packing material. Sheriff Graham Atkinson said the drugs seized were small user-sized amounts. Small drug sales allegedly were taking place at the location.

Arrested were Mark James Lee Williams, 54, and Gary Deland Cain, 59, both of the residence. They were each charged with felony possession of crack cocaine, felony maintaining a drug house, felony possession with intent to manufacture marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond for each was set at $75,000 secured.

Atkinson said collaborations between the sheriff’s office and Mount Airy Police Department allow the agencies to have more manpower for their drug busts.

“We’re doing lots of joint operations now because of limited resources,” Atkinson remarked.

The sheriff said Wednesday’s arrests were an isolated incident and not part of a larger drug roundup.

A few different sources contacted law enforcement agencies to report suspicious activity at the location, according to Atkinson. He said the sources provided his office with very detailed and reliable information.

“It made it a lot easier for us ... We were able to put it together very quickly,” said Atkinson.

Without tips from community members, Atkinson said officers would never have known about the drug activity at this location.

Atkinson said of the community, “That’s our eyes and ears.”

Contact Meghann Evans at mevans@mtairynews.com or 719-1952.