Sheriff’s office: Cocaine recovered during Columbus County traffic checkpoint
CERRO GORDO, NC (WWAY) — A Columbus County man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after deputies say they found suspected cocaine and drug paraphernalia during a traffic checkpoint Tuesday evening.
According to the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, members of its Special Operations Division H.E.A.T. Unit were conducting a traffic checking station near the intersection of Rough and Ready Road and Hinsons Crossroads on July 21.
Deputies said they observed a Ford Escape stop in the roadway before reaching the checkpoint. When deputies contacted the driver, identified as Robert Tyler, they reported smelling alcohol coming from the vehicle. Tyler allegedly told deputies he did not have identification with him and acknowledged consuming alcohol earlier that evening.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies found a hat near where the vehicle had stopped, along with two plastic bags containing a white substance, a cut straw and a spoon with white residue. Deputies also reported observing a white substance around Tyler’s nostril.
The sheriff’s office said roadside testing indicated the substances contained cocaine.
Deputies allege Tyler physically resisted as they attempted to take him into custody before he was restrained and arrested. Authorities also determined the vehicle displayed a fictitious temporary registration plate and had it towed.
Tyler was transported to the Columbus County Detention Center.
According to the sheriff’s office, Tyler was charged with possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance, littering hazardous waste, altering, stealing or destroying criminal evidence, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting a public officer, driving while license revoked, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving while impaired and other related offenses.
