A month‑long narcotics investigation in Columbus County has led to the seizure of large quantities of illegal drugs and the arrest of one suspect following a multi‑agency operation centered in the Riegelwood community.
According to the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations alerted local authorities in January after intercepting several suspicious parcels addressed to locations in Riegelwood. That tip launched a joint investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division Vice‑Narcotics Unit and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
Detectives spent several weeks examining the packages, the delivery addresses, and individuals believed to be connected to the shipments. Their work culminated in Operation “Weedus Deletus,” carried out with support from the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.
The operation resulted in the arrest of one person and the seizure of what investigators described as a significant haul of illegal controlled substances. The case remains active.
Drugs Seized
Authorities reported recovering the following items, with weights still pending laboratory confirmation:
- Approximately 62 pounds of marijuana
- Approximately 2 ounces of psilocybin mushrooms
- Approximately 10 ounces of marijuana resin wax
- Approximately 7 ounces of marijuana live‑resin vape pens
The suspect was taken to the Columbus County Detention Center and faces a long list of felony and misdemeanor charges, including:
- Six counts of felony trafficking in marijuana
- Two counts of felony maintaining a place for controlled substances
- Felony littering hazardous waste
- Two counts of felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver marijuana
- Felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a Schedule I controlled substance
- Two counts of felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a Schedule VI controlled substance
- Two counts of misdemeanor possession of marijuana paraphernalia
- Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia
Sheriff Bill Rogers praised the teamwork behind the operation, saying the agencies involved demonstrated a shared commitment to protecting the community. He emphasized that removing illegal drugs from circulation remains a top priority for his office.
The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation reflects its ongoing focus on proactive enforcement and collaboration with state and federal partners to curb drug activity in Columbus County.
Authorities noted that everyone is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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