Beaufort County, like most North Carolina counties, has its share of illegal drug activity, but the average, watchful person can do their part to get drugs off the streets.

If a person believes something looks suspicious, it likely is, and it’s those people who report their suspicions that, often unknowingly, help investigators make arrests, according to Lt. Russell Davenport, head of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office narcotics unit.

That was the case Friday, as investigators with the drug unit arrested Malcolm Dante Sutton, 22, of Heritage Drive, Washington, after they’d received complaints that Sutton could be involved in drug trade, Davenport said.

“We had complaints, made a controlled purchase, continued surveillance and witnessed him doing several other drug transactions,” Davenport said.

With the help of the unit’s drug-detecting dog, K-9 Elza, a search warrant at Sutton’s residence turned up 29 grams of cocaine, 4.5 grams of the prescription pain medication Oxycodone and 171 grams of marijuana, according to Davenport. Also seized in the incident were digital scales and a .32 caliber revolver, he said.

Davenport said they drug unit relies on the tips that come in from outside of the department.

“The public plays a very significant role in us catching those who are selling and distributing drugs,” Davenport said. “Without these citizens and their complaints, we wouldn’t know what area to go to. It gives us a place to start looking.”

Sutton was held at the Beaufort County Detention Center under a $125,000 secured bond. He was charged with trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in opiates, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession of a firearm by felon. At the time of his arrest, Sutton was on probation for breaking and entering charges in Beaufort County, and out on bond for possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana charges in Pitt County.