Two men sentenced in Columbus County for drug trafficking

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — Two men have been sentenced in Columbus County Superior Court this week on convictions related to drug trafficking, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Banks Raphel Batton, 37, of Tabor City, was found guilty of trafficking cocaine and other drug offenses stemming from a 2021 investigation. Following his conviction, Batton pleaded guilty to a second count of trafficking cocaine for a separate incident in 2022. He has been sentenced to at least three years in prison and fined $50,000.

Both cases against Batton arose following a search of his home. Authorities seized cocaine, cash, guns, digital scales, marijuana, and a money-counting machine.

Separately, Phillip Ruffin of New York pleaded guilty this week to trafficking opioids. Ruffin and his brother, Michael Ruffin, were stopped in August while traveling in Columbus County. During the stop, deputies found approximately 15 grams of Oxycodone pills hidden in Phillip Ruffin’s pants. Phillip Ruffin received a maximum of nearly eight years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Michael Ruffin pleaded guilty earlier this year to opioid trafficking from a separate incident in October 2023 and received the same sentence.