Drugs

Update: Thousands of dollars seized in drug raid

Monday, April 22nd, 2013, 7:11pm

Deputies with the Columbus County Sheriff's Office and agents from the NCSBI, Chadbourn Police Department, and the Bladen County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant Wednesday at Harold's Body Shop.

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Court documents show deputies seized $8,174, a gun, box of sandwich bags, digital scales, a Wells Fargo receipt, Ziploc bag with marijuana, a surveillance system, Dell computer, and thumb drive from Harold's Body Shop in Chadbourn last Wednesday.

Dozens of Deputies with the Columbus County Sheriff's Office, agents from the NCSBI, and Chadbourn Police Department executed the search warrant.

They also searched Larry McKenzie's home. McKenzie owns Harold's Body Shop.

According to Sheriff Chris Batten, the warrants stem from an extensive investigation after several complaints from citizens in and around Chadbourn about suspicious activity at the business and home.

Investigators said Harold's Body Shop was the meeting place for drug deals all over the county.

Larry Donnell McKenzie was taken into custody and charged with:

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SCC nursing students to hold substance abuse awareness event

Submitted by Justin Smith, Southeastern Community College Director of Marketing and Public Affairs

Wednesday, April 10th, 2013, 12:39pm

SCC nursing students to hold substance abuse awareness event

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Nursing students at Southeastern Community College are organizing a special event on Saturday, April 27, to raise awareness about substance abuse. Operation ASAP will be held on the SCC campus in front of A-Building from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The event will include educational booths as well as activities for children. Hotdogs, drinks and baked treats will be served free of charge.

Members of the SCC evening and weekend nursing program are partnering with the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office and other local agencies to sponsor the event.

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ARRESTED: Man faces several drug-related charges

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Monday, April 1st, 2013, 11:11am

Justin Matthew Bailey (Source: Columbus Co. Jail)

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Deputies in Columbus County arrested a man this weekend for several drug-related charges.

According to the sheriff's office, Justin Matthew Bailey was arrested for possession with intent to sell and distribute cocaine and marijuana.

They said he was also charged for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

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Former inmate faces drug charges after releasing book on changing his ways

Submitted by WECT Web Staff

Friday, March 8th, 2013, 8:37am

Michael Powell (Source: Columbus County Sheriff's Office)

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - A former inmate and drug dealer in Columbus County who recently released a book about redemption and changing his life was behind bars again at the beginning of the month for drug charges.

On that date, Columbus County deputies say Michael Powell was charged by agents with Alcohol Law Enforcement for violation of his ABC privilege license, possession with the intent to sell and deliver marijuana, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling place with control substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Since being arrested, he bonded out of jail.

Powell spent more than a decade in prison for selling cocaine and marijuana. He had been out of prison for two years before the release of his book, The Class President's Son, earlier this year.

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More than 900 traffic, criminal violations made in Columbus Co.

Submitted by Sarah Crandall, Web Producer

Thursday, January 17th, 2013, 2:09pm

More than 900 traffic, criminal violations made in Columbus Co.

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A total of 926 traffic and criminal violations were made recently in Columbus County.

A news release from an NC Department of Transportation spokesperson revealed that, across the state, 3,147 motorists were cited for driving while impaired during a holiday “Booze It & Lose It” campaign that ran from Dec. 7 to Jan. 2.

Additionally, 110,692 traffic and criminal citations, 6,381 safety belt and 1,134 child passenger safety violations, 364 speeding violations and 3,543 drug charges were issued statewide.

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Additional arrest made in largest crystal meth seizure in Col. Co.

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Thursday, November 15th, 2012, 11:34am

According to the sheriff's office, this is the largest crystal meth seizure to date in Columbus County. (Source: Columbus Co. Sheriff's Office)

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Detectives with the Columbus County Sheriff's Office and the SBI have made an additional arrest in a case that led them to the largest crystal meth seizure to date in Columbus County.

According to the sheriff's office, detectives seized approximately two kilograms of crystal meth with an estimated street value of $200,000.

Johnny Andreas Savva Jr., 35 of Fayetteville, Samuel Olivares, 18 of Texas, and Felipe Rodriguez, 36 of Robbins, were each charged with trafficking in methamphetamines.

Jose DeJesus Sandoval was also arrested and charged. He was served in Moore County.

Officials say the investigation started in Columbus County and led investigators to Cumberland and Moore counties where additional arrests were made.

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Columbus County couple arrested for selling steroids

Submitted by Nikki Bussey, News Producer

Friday, October 5th, 2012, 7:27am

James Corbett (Source: Columbus Co. Sheriff's Office)

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A three month investigation led authorities to the arrest of a couple selling steroids in the mail.

Authorities found over 43,536 steroid pills, 923 10mm vials of injectable steroid, and 80 other vials at a home in Tabor City.

James and Stacy Corbett were arrested and released on September 28. They have been charged with one count each of possession of anabolic steroids with intent to sell.

Officials say the couple would put the steroids in containers and mail them to people who ordered from a Website online.

They mailed 350 packages over a three month span from post offices in Tabor City, Shallotte, Leland, Wilmington and a few other places from July to September.

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