Phentanyl patch sales lead to arrests
Published 8:34 pm Monday, October 27, 2014
From the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit
On Oct. 20, 2014, investigators with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit arrested Moses Alfred Cooper, age 54, of 114 W. Pantego St. in Belhaven and Cameron Hayes Merritt, age 18, of 390 Wilkins Road in Belhaven. Their arrests stemmed from investigators witnessing a drug transaction take place in the Washington area. Investigators seized six Phentanyl transdermal patches as a result of the arrests. Phentanyl is a highly potent opiate-based pain medication that has been linked to overdose deaths across eastern North Carolina.
Cameron Merritt was arrested and charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver schedule II controlled substance. Merritt was confined in the Beaufort County Detention Center under a $5,000 secured bond. Moses Cooper was arrested and charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver schedule II controlled substance and maintaining a vehicle to facilitate drug activity. Cooper was confine in the Beaufort County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond.