Woman arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle drugs into Whiteville prison

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office says a woman has been arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle drugs into a prison.

In the month of July 2025, the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division – Vice/Narcotics Unit was contacted by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction to assist in an ongoing investigation.

This collaborative effort revealed that 30-year-old India Leandra Berryman was allegedly in possession of illegal narcotics and had attempted to deliver them to an inmate at the Brunswick Correctional Institution, located at 1255 Prison Camp Road in Whiteville.

Investigators say they seized a quantity of Suboxone sublingual strips and synthetic cannabinoids (commonly known as K2 or Spice). A subsequent search of Berryman’s vehicle also apparently led to the discovery of a loaded Sig Sauer 9mm handgun equipped with a stolen upper slide.

India Leandra Berryman was arrested and transported to the Columbus County Law Enforcement Center, where she was charged with the following offenses:

· Felony – Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver Schedule III Controlled Substance

· Felony – Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver Schedule I Controlled Substance

· Felony – Possession of Controlled Substance on Prison/Jail Premises

· Felony – Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substances

· Misdemeanor – Possession of a Weapon on State Property or Courthouse Grounds

· Misdemeanor – Possession of Stolen Goods/Property

Sheriff Bill Rogers commended the teamwork that led to this successful outcome:

“The safety and well-being of our community and correctional facilities is a shared responsibility. This case demonstrates the strength of collaboration between agencies and our ongoing commitment to keeping illegal drugs and dangerous weapons out of our institutions and off our streets. I’m proud of the dedication shown by our Vice/Narcotics Unit and the Department of Correction investigators.”