Columbus County traffic stop leads to methamphetamine arrest

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — A traffic checkpoint in Columbus County led to the arrest of a Nakina man on methamphetamine charges, according to the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies with the sheriff’s office H.E.A.T. Team conducted a traffic checking station Aug. 31 at the intersection of Bladenboro Road and Silver Spoon Road in Whiteville.

According to the sheriff’s office, a Toyota RAV4 approached the checkpoint while traveling on Bladenboro Road toward James B. White Highway North.

Deputies stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Teresa Simko. The sheriff’s office said Simko was cited for violating North Carolina’s seat belt law.

Simko consented to a search of the vehicle, according to deputies.

After Simko and the male passenger, identified as 38-year-old Jonathan Wesley Jones of Nakina, got out of the vehicle, deputies searched it and found two plastic bags containing suspected methamphetamine, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies also found suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia concealed on Jones, according to the sheriff’s office.

Jones was arrested and taken to the Columbus County Law Enforcement Center.

He was charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jones was given a $10,000 secured bond and a future court date.

Sheriff Rogers said the department uses traffic checkpoints to enforce traffic laws and promote roadway safety, but officers can sometimes discover other alleged criminal activity during those operations.

The sheriff’s office said it plans to continue traffic enforcement operations throughout Columbus County as part of its roadway safety and crime prevention efforts.