Deputies searching for a suspect wanted in Robeson County arrested a man and detained a teenager with drugs and firearms Wednesday.
The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office reported that Joseph Graham IV, 19, and a 17 year old male were arrested during a saturation patrol targeting “violent offenders” who were sought by Robeson authorities.
Graham was charged with accessory after the fact, two counts of trafficking in cocaine, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver cocaine and marijuana, maintaining a vehicle for drug activities, carrying a concealed weapon, and drug paraphernalia. His bond as set at $100,000. The youth faces the same charges, and was detained in a juvenile facility.
Sheriff W.A. “Bill” Rogers said in a news release that the Special Operations Division, including the Heavy Enforcement Action Team (H.E.A.T) and Vice-Narcotic Unit, worked with the Chadbourn Police to conduct a traffic stop on West Princess Street in Chadbourn to make the arrests.
Investigators deployed the drug sniffing dog Cooper during the traffic stop. Cooper gave a positive indication for narcotics, leading deputies to search the vehicle. The search resulted in the discovery of nearly two ounces (48 grams) of crack cocaine, nearly two and a half ounces (68 grams) of powder cocaine, and approximately 12 ounces (326 grams) of marijuana. Two concealed firearms were found in the vehicle.
Deputies with the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office will be seeking a juvenile petition for the 17-year-old juvenile for the same charges as Graham.
“The discovery of narcotics and firearms during this operation highlights the direct link between violence, endangerment of our youth, and narcotics trafficking in our communities,” Rogers said. The sheriff said he has tasked the Special Operations Division with “addressing these issues by being positive role models in schools and communities and by removing violent individuals associated with shootings and narcotics trafficking from the community. “The goal is to reach the youth and reinforce good behavior and positivity before it escalates to criminal activities,” Rogers said.
