Fair Bluff checkpoint yields 22 charges, 2 arrests | News

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Twenty-two charges and two arrests were made after authorities with the Fair Bluff Police Department conducted a checkpoint Friday night.

The checkpoint was part of their Operation Street Sweep, the goal of which is to "better the community by reducing the number of weapons in the hands of known drug offenders, reduce the amount of breaking and enterings with police presence, reduce the number of traffic crashes due to impaired driving, and to raise public awareness of motor vehicle law," according to Police Chief Hewett.

For the checkpoint, the police department collaborated with the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, the Columbus County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit, Chadbourn Police Department, Tabor City Police Department, and the Holden Beach Police Department.

The following charges were made:

• Driving while license revoked (2)
• Driving without a seatbelt (2)
• Driving without a child restraint
• Child under 16 with no seatbelt
• Failure to change address
• No insurance (2)
• Fictitious registration
• Allowing unlicensed driver to operate
• Open container
• Carrying a concealed weapon (3)
• Expired registration
• Possession of marijuana up to a half ounce (3)
• Resist/delay/obstruct
• Possession of drug paraphernalia (2)
• Possession with intent to manufacture sell and deliver marijuana

Hewett says that an increased rate of criminal activity and weapons and narcotics offenses in Fair Bluff and local communities sparked the need to conduct Operation Street Sweep.

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