Trio charged in cross-county drug investigation in Lumberton, Pembroke

LUMBERTON — On Thursday, Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Division, Community Impact Team, and SWAT operators executed search warrants at two homes.

During the investigation, a quantity of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, one firearm, money, and drug paraphernalia were located and seized at an apartment in the 300 block of East 6th Street in Pembroke and a home on Woodlawn Street in Lumberton, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.

Reginald Bethea, 34, of Lumberton, Myrtle Bethea, 64, of Lumberton and Courtney R. Hammonds, 27, of Pembroke were arrested and charged with conspiracy to traffic opium/heroin, trafficking opium/heroin, possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver heroin, possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.

Reginald Bethea was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Hammonds was also charged with resisting a public officer and assault on a government official/employee, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.

All three suspects are in custody at the Robeson County Detention Center with a $1 million secured bond.

“These arrests reflect the continued commitment of the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office along with federal, state, and local agencies to combat the illegal drug trade and protect communities from the devastating impact of fentanyl distribution,” said Sheriff Burnis Wilkins. “Fentanyl has wreaked havoc on our county, and today’s arrest saved what could have been 13,000 people if it had hit the streets. Reginald Bethea is a repeat felony offender and at some point, has to be held accountable for his continued efforts to distribute poison in our county.”

The Lumberton Police Department, Pembroke Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted with the execution of the search warrant.

Anyone with additional information or any information regarding drug activity in Robeson County should call the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Division at 910-671-3191 or email [email protected].

“Under our system of justice, every person is presumed to be innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law,” stated a post on the Sheriff’s Office social media site. “The information contained in this post is not intended to be an expression of opinion regarding guilt. The views and opinions expressed by private citizens who may comment on this post are not adopted by and do not reflect the official policy or position of this law enforcement agency.”

Additionally the post included the following statement: “The Sheriff’s Office does not issue or determine bond amounts. This is done through a judicial official, such as a judge or magistrate, as per N.C. General Statute 15A-532. Many factors are considered when determining bond amounts.”