Pittsboro man charged with drug violations in Columbia

Published 2:34 pm Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Ronald Darren Coburn, 30, of Pittsboro was arrested in Columbia on Dec. 26 and charged with two felonious and four misdemeanor drug violations, Sheriff Kevin Sawyer reported.

On the day after Christmas Tyrrell deputies, acting on a tip, assisted the State Highway Patrol with a vehicle stop on US 64 east of Columbia.  The vehicle had been stopped for a traffic violation.

The sheriff stated that a probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted after the state trooper observed an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. Drug residue, paraphernalia and scales were located in the vehicle.   Coburn, the driver, was observed with his pants unbuttoned and unzipped. “He denied anything was on his person,” the sheriff said.

Coburn was transported to the sheriff’s office holding cell for processing. Prior to entry into the facility he was asked to produce anything illegal in his possession.  He denied possession of any items.

While conducting a search of his person in the holding cell Coburn was found to have secreted a plastic bag in his underwear containing cocaine, Xanax, and some undetermined substances in clear capsules.

He was charged with felony possession of Schedule II controlled substance, possession of Schedule III controlled substance and marijuana drug paraphernalia, felony possession of controlled substance in a jail or prison, and simple possession of Schedule VI and Schedule IV controlled substances.

Four grams of cocaine, 8 Xanax, five 8-mg Suboxone, 0.10 grams of marijuana, scales and containers were seized.

Coburn was placed under $5,000 secured bond.