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On July 13, 2023, Deputies with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office concluded a two-month long drug investigation on Bobby Lee Moore Jr.  Moore is 43 years of age and a lifelong resident of Aurora, NC.  Deputies learned through citizen complaints and interviews that Bobby Lee Moore Jr. is the main supplier of fentanyl and methamphetamine to the Beaufort County area.

In May of 2023, Beaufort County Deputies began their investigation by organizing controlled purchases of dangerous drugs and conducting surveillance on Bobby Lee Moore Jr. and others involved in his drug operation.

On July 13, 2023 at 8:00 am, Beaufort County Deputies along with assistance from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and members of the National Guard Counter Drug Program conducted two separate search warrants in the Edward and Aurora area of Beaufort County.  One of the residences searched, belonged to Patrick Denell Grimes and the other belonged to Bobby Lee Moore Jr.  During the search warrants, Deputies took Bobby Lee Moore Jr. into custody and located 143 grams of methamphetamine, 9 grams of fentanyl, three handguns and approximately $11,000 in cash.

As a result, Bobby Lee Moore Jr. was charged with Trafficking in Opium or Heroin(Fentanyl), PWISD Methamphetamine, Felony Maintaining a Dwelling to Keep and Sell Controlled Substances and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Bobby Lee Moore Jr. was confined in the Beaufort County Detention Center under a $500,000.00 cash only bond.  Additional drug charges for Moore are expected.

Patrick Denell Grimes was charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine, PWISD Schedule II (Fentanyl), Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and Felony Maintaining a Dwelling to Keep and Sell Controlled Substances.  Patrick Denell Grimes was confined in the Beaufort County Detention Center under a $135,000.00 secured bond.

This investigation is still ongoing, and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office will be making more arrests in this case.  Sheriff Scott Hammonds and his Office are committed to keeping dangerous drugs, especially fentanyl, out of our community and will work diligently and aggressively to ensure that those involved in its distribution will be arrested and prosecuted fully.