Three people arrested following drug bust in North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA — Three people were arrested Thursday in connection with a major drug bust in Robeson County, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.

Reginald Bethea, 34, and Myrtle Bethea, 64, both of Lumberton, along with Courtney R. Hammonds, 27, of Pembroke, were taken into custody and face multiple drug-related charges.

The charges include conspiracy to traffic opium/heroin, trafficking opium/heroin, possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Additionally, Reginald Bethea was 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.

The arrests followed the execution of search warrants at two locations: 304A E. 6th Street in Pembroke and Woodlawn Street in Lumberton.

Authorities said they recovered fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, a firearm, drug paraphernalia, and U.S. currency.

The Robeson County Sheriff’s Drug Enforcement Division, Community Impact Team, and SWAT Operators conducted the searches, with support from the Lumberton Police Department, Pembroke Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

All three suspects are being held at the Robeson County Detention Center on a $1 million secured bond.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Drug Enforcement Division at (910) 671-3191.