Drug trade continues unhindered by COVID-19

Published 7:40 pm Thursday, May 28, 2020

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While the coronavirus has altered many aspects of daily life, the use and sale of illegal drugs in Beaufort County remains largely the same, according Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit Lt. Russell Davenport. Deputies are using additional health precautions when approaching suspects as the fight against drug abuse carries on.

In a press release issued Thursday, Davenport shared a list of 27 people who have been charged with narcotics violations since the pandemic began, adding that covert operations and other investigations were still underway concerning others.

“We’re continuing to use all the precautions for the coronavirus,” Davenport said. “Some of the arrests involved searching houses where we were wearing masks and using all the necessary equipment to keep us safe.”

Despite statewide stay-at-home orders and other recommendations discouraging travel, Davenport says those restrictions have been largely ignored by those engaged in the drug trade.

“People involved in illegal activity are not going to follow the order anyway,” Davenport said. “We can’t stop either. We still have citizens calling in complaints, and we’re still going to work those complaints.”

According to the release from the BCSO, the following individuals have been charged since the pandemic began.

  • Shalanda Flynn, 42, of 38 Sam’s Road in Chocowinity, was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, possession of a schedule I controlled substance (ecstasy), possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Nechola Harvey, 65, of 114 Harveys Hamlet Road in Washington, was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Quentin Pritchard, 35, of 1337 Carolynn Street in Greenville, was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Austin Moore, 36, of 1227 Maple Street in Washington, was charged with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Arika-Dare Elizabeth Byrum, 34, of 1494 Biggs Road in Pinetown, was charged with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Shelia Cantarero, 55, of 118 Harvette Road in Washington, was charged with possession of a schedule II controlled substance (Hydrocodone) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Sonny Ray Cobb, 25, of 3427 Wharton Station Road in Washington, was charged with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Theron Booker, 21, of 3427 Wharton Station Road in Washington, was charged with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Derrick Wiggins, 31, of 542 Beaufort Street in Grimesland, was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule IV controlled substance (Alprazolam).
  • William Little, 27, of Bonner Circle in Washington, was charge with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Christopher Bright, 32, of 47 Mary Street in Chocowinity, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Jasmine Maurizzio, 25, of 4615 Haddock Drive in Washington, was charged with possession of Ecstasy a schedule I controlled substance.
  • Lindsay Ore, 28, of 1945 Crag Burn Lane in Raleigh, was charged with possession of marijuana.
  • Patrick Rodgers, 42, of 3427 Wharton Station Road in Washington, was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • James Rodgers, 62, of 3427 Wharton Station Road in Washington, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Darries McCarter, 36, of 225 W. Martin Luther King Boulevard in Washington, was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Bradley Coward, 29, of 402 Havens Street in Washington, was charged with flee to elude arrest using a motor vehicle, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Alyssa Taylor, 22, of 2039 Slatestone Road in Washington, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Bradley Nixon, 37, of 19021 Hwy. 264 East in Pinetown, was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance (amphetamine), possession of a schedule IV controlled substance (Alprazolam), possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Jovani Lerma, 23, of 106 Bonner Circle in Washington, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Antonio Guilford, 32, of 836 Fleming Street in Washington, was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Jamel Boston, 42, of 503 Weston Road in Grimesland, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Joseph Carter, 39, of 256 Old Mill Road in Chocowinity, was charged with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Charles Erickson, 18, of 518 Northwood Drive in Washington, was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • William Daniels, 55, of 608 W. 10th Street in Washington, was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Jonathan Brooks, 25, of 6444 Kelly Road in Bath, was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, carrying a concealed gun, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while license revoked
  • Louis Gurganus, 43, of 91 Tonya Lane in Bath, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.