Two employees of East Coast Wings were arrested Friday and charged with selling drugs in the restaurant parking lot while on the clock.

Emanuel Lee Ruffin, 30, of Mary Street, Chocowinity, and Donnell Lamar Perry, 28, of Boston Avenue, Washington, were arrested after complaints were made about Ruffin’s activities, which led to surveillance on the restaurant, controlled buys of pain pills from Ruffin, as well as investigators witnessing other people buy drugs in the parking lot, according to Lt. Russell Davenport, head of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit.

After one such incident, investigators approached Ruffin and Perry while they were still sitting in a vehicle and a search turned up marijuana packaged for resale and digital scales, said a drug unit press release.

Ruffin was charged with two counts of trafficking in opiates, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Perry was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the press release.

Davenport said the owners of East Coast Wings were helpful during the process.

“We had talked to the owners, and they were very cooperative and trying to do their best to solve the problems,” Davenport said.

Davenport said he believed both men were employed as cooks at East Coast Wings, but are likely no longer employed there.

“(The owner) said they were going to be immediately terminated,” Davenport said.

Wednesday, Ruffin remained confined in the Beaufort County Detention Center under at $40,000 secured bond; Perry was released under a $6,000 secured bond.

Davenport said the investigation continues, and he expects to make more arrests in connection to the case.