Two men have been charged with selling drugs near children’s facilities in Washington.

On May 26, investigators with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office arrested Milton Paul Abrams, 39, of Harding Street in Washington. According to a press release from the drug unit, investigators purchased marijuana from Albritton, but on searching his residence they seized marijuana, as well as oxycodone pills, drug paraphernalia and $3,400 in cash.

“We received complaints about his distributing marijuana, so we started buying marijuana from him. During surveillance, he led us back to his house where we knew he would be storing more,” said Lt. Russell Davenport, head of the drug unit.

Davenport said the location where they purchased marijuana from Albritton was within 1,000 feet of a childcare facility.

On Tuesday, investigators also arrested Gregory Reddick, 52, of Pierce Street. According to Davenport, Reddick was selling crack cocaine out of his residence, which is located within 1,000 feet of Beaufort County Ed Tech Center.

“That was one of the cases we kind of rushed because it was technically right across the street from a school,” Davenport said. “During investigation, we learned several people were delivering cocaine to the residence. It’s a case that we know that Gregory Reddick was the middleman — drug dealers used him to sell to (others) so they won’t get caught.”

Davenport said many don’t realize that selling controlled substances near a school or childcare facility increases the weight of a felony charge.

Reddick was charged with possession with intent to sell a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school; Albritton was charged with possession intent to sell a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, possession with intent to sell marijuana, trafficking in opiates and possession of marijuana.

Davenport said the number of oxycodone pills found in Albritton’s possession warranted the trafficking charge.

“He did not have a prescription for them,” Davenport said. “That’s one of the major epidemics we’re having right now — pills and heroin.”

Both men were held at the Beaufort County Detention Center under $50,000 secured bonds, the release stated.