HYDE COUNTY — A correctional officer was arrested Tuesday for allegedly giving drugs to an inmate.

Authorities at the Hyde County Sheriff’s Office reported that an inmate, Adrian Cofield, 44, was found to be in possession of 4 ounces of marijuana, a cellphone, tobacco and a knife while in custody at Hyde Correctional Institution.

After further investigation, authorities charged correctional officer Joshua Carawan with furnishing tobacco and a controlled substance. Carawan lives in Chocowinity.

Cofield was also charged with possession of an electronic communication device, possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of a controlled substance and possession of tobacco while in custody.

Carawan had worked as a correctional officer in Hyde and Craven counties for several years, although the exact number could not be confirmed.

According to authorities, the investigation is ongoing and more arrests may be made.

Sgt. Josh Hopkins, with the Hyde County Sheriff’s Office, said he does not know how long the investigation could continue, but until its completion, more details must remain under wraps.

“It’s going to take some time to get through everything that is going on,” Hopkins said. “As we uncover things, we have to, you know, track those things. We’ve got a lot of information that we’ve got to go through.”

Cofield has a lengthy criminal record, including many convictions for drug possession, reckless driving and probation violations — spanning over the course of 25 years. His release date is currently scheduled for 2034.