Three people arrested following drug bust in North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA — A multi-agency drug investigation in Bladen County has led to the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of narcotics, firearms, and cash.

According to the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), the investigation began after the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Vice/Narcotics Unit alerted BCSO about an individual allegedly selling illicit drugs in the area.

Detectives reported that they had previously purchased drugs from 68-year-old Kenneth Bowen and that he had active arrest warrants related to drug trafficking and sales.

BCSO initiated its own investigation and also purchased narcotics from Bowen, leading authorities to secure a search warrant for his residence on Mercer Mill Brown Marsh Road in Clarkton.

The search, conducted by BCSO in coordination with the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, resulted in the discovery of multiple controlled substances, firearms, and U.S. currency.

Bowen was arrested and faces a series of charges from both counties. The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office charged him with:

• Possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and/or deliver Schedule VI controlled substances
• Two counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and/or deliver Schedule II controlled substances
• Maintaining a dwelling for the keeping and selling of controlled substances

In addition, the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office charged Bowen with:

• Five counts of trafficking opium or heroin
• Two counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and/or deliver Schedule II controlled substances
• Two counts of maintaining a dwelling for the keeping and selling of controlled substances
• Delivering methamphetamine
• Selling Schedule II controlled substances
• Delivering Schedule II controlled substances
• Possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and/or deliver methamphetamine
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Bowen was given a secured bond of $550,000.

Also arrested were 18-year-old Cameron Blanks and 38-year-old Sabrina Annette Blanks. Both face charges related to marijuana possession and paraphernalia. Cameron Blanks was charged with:

• Simple possession of Schedule VI controlled substances
• Possession of marijuana paraphernalia

He received a $1,500 unsecured bond.

Sabrina Blanks was charged with:

• Simple possession of Schedule VI controlled substances
• Possession of marijuana paraphernalia
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Misdemeanor maintaining a dwelling for the keeping and use of controlled substances

She was also released on a $1,500 unsecured bond.

The investigation remains ongoing, according to authorities.