A joint drug investigation conducted by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office led to drug trafficking charges, the seizure of 316 doses of MDMA and a flat tire for a Washington man living in Pitt County.

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit Lt. Russell Davenport said the BCSO had been conducting surveillance on Tyshaun Monkel Thigpen, 27, of Washington, for about two months prior to the arrest Tuesday. Investigators had made controlled purchases of crack cocaine from Thigpen during that period and were able to determine that he actually resided in Pitt County, according to a press release.

“During our surveillance, we learned that he was actually living in Pitt County, trying to escape from us,” Davenport said. “Criminals don’t discriminate because of county lines. They think that we can’t cross them. We reached out to Pitt County, told them what was going on, and they joined the operation with us.”

Bringing in the PCSO on the investigation, deputies from both departments conducted a traffic stop Tuesday as Thigpen was leaving his residence on Fifth Street in Greenville. As they attempted to stop his vehicle, Thigpen fled from officers, but was quickly taken into custody without incident after his vehicle jumped a curb, leaving him with a flat tire.

According to a press release from the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, detectives found narcotics on Thigpen at the time of the arrest. That seizure and other evidence led to the execution of a search warrant at his residence, during which investigators seized approximately 316 doses of MDMA, also known as ecstasy, approximately 10 grams of crack cocaine and various items of drug paraphernalia. According to Davenport, deputies also found evidence that Thigpen was allegedly manufacturing crack cocaine at the residence.

As a result, Thigpen was charged with two counts of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, two felony counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance (crack cocaine), felony flee to elude arrest, misdemeanor resist, obstruct or delay a public servant, felony trafficking a schedule I controlled substance (MDMA) and felony manufacturing a controlled substance (crack cocaine).

Thigpen was also served an outstanding warrant from Beaufort County for felony possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance (crack cocaine).

“He was what we considered a mid-level drug dealer in Beaufort County, and he was supplying a lot of users,” Davenport said. “… It worked out really good. We always have a good working relationship with all our surrounding counties.”

Thigpen was held in the Pitt County Detention Center under a $215,000 secured bond.