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One man was jailed and more than 60 pounds of marijuana and other illegal substances were seized as part of an operation the sheriff’s office has dubbed “Operation Weedus Deletus.”
The sheriff’s office did not release the suspect’s name, citing the ongoing investigation. Detention Center records and warrants show that Jessie Ruiz Jacobs, 21, of Dixon Road and Waterline Way, Riegelwood, was charged with six counts of trafficking in marijuana, two counts of maintaining a vehicle or place for drug purposes, felony littering hazardous waste, and two counts each of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana, mushrooms, and marijuana resin. He was also charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Jacobs was released on a secured bond.
The press release said that members of the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division Vice-Narcotics Unit were contacted by Homeland Security Investigations in January about the interception of multiple parcels of illegal drugs. The parcels were addressed for delivery to locations in Riegelwood.
The Vice-Narcotics Unit and the N. C. State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) conducted an extensive investigation into the intercepted parcels, associated addresses, and involved individuals, the release said. As a result of the investigation, the Vice-Narcotics Unit conducted Operation “Weedus Deletus,” with assistance from the SBI and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.
Investigators seized approximately 62 pounds of marijuana; two ounces of psilocybin mushrooms; ten ounces of marijuana wax, and vape pens.
Warrants show that Jacobs allegedly transported multiple large packages of marijuana and other contraband, and allegedly tried to dispose of some of the drugs Jan. 15.
Sheriff Bill Rogers thanked all the agencies involved and praised the cooperation between the organizations.
“The safety and well-being of our community remain our top priority,” Rogers said. “This operation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to removing illegal drugs from our streets and ensuring the safety of both our citizens and our officers.”
The investigation is continuing.
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Jefferson Weaver is the Managing Editor of Columbus County News and he can be reached at (910) 914-6056, (910) 632-4965, or by email at jeffersonweaver@ColumbusCountyNews.com.
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