Two men arrested after Columbus County Sheriff’s Office searches alleged drug home

TABOR CITY, NC (WWAY) — One man was arrested on drug charges and another was arrested on a misdemeanor charge after a Columbus County Sheriff’s Office search of a home in Tabor City.

On July 14, 2025, the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division searched a home located off Pine Circle Road in the Green Acres community. The investigation began in response to multiple community complaints regarding suspected drug activity in the area.

As deputies came to the house, several individuals attempted to flee from the home and surrounding property. One of them was caught after trying to escape through a neighboring yard.

During the search, detectives seized a variety of illegal narcotics, including “crack” cocaine, powder cocaine, and marijuana. Also recovered were items commonly used in the trafficking and packaging of illegal drugs, along with U.S. currency believed to be proceeds from drug sales.

Two individuals were arrested at the scene:

Michael Jermaine Strickland (Photo: CCSO)

Michael Jermaine Strickland, 41, is charged with two felony counts of Trafficking in Cocaine, as well as Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, Deliver Cocaine; Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, Deliver Marijuana; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Willis Boyd (Photo: CCSO)

Willis Henry Boyd, 39 faces a misdemeanor charge of Resisting a Public Officer.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Vice-Narcotics Detectives are working to identify additional suspects and determine their roles and level of involvement. Further charges may be forthcoming as new evidence is analyzed.