$1M bonds for cocaine trafficking suspects

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Two men are in jail under at least $1 million bond each after a four-month long investigation by the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotics Unit.

Investigators say they charged Candelario Ayon Perez, 44, of Evergreen, and Jose Rodriguez Aspeitia, 36, of Whiteville, for allegedly distributing large amounts of cocaine throughout several communities in Columbus County.

The sheriff’s office says the investigation started with information gathered from the areas of Hallsboro, Whiteville and Evergreen. Detectives say they made undercover cocaine purchases from the two suspects during the investigation, which ended Friday with the arrest of Perez and Aspeitia in Hallsboro and the seizure of 10.5 ounces of cocaine.

Perez is in jail under $1.6 million secured bond. He is charged with 10 counts of trafficking cocaine, two counts of sell/deliver cocaine and four counts of maintaining a vehicle as a place to keep and sell a controlled substance.

Aspeitia is booked under $1 million secured bond. He faces two counts of trafficking cocaine.