By Staff
Investigators said surveillance led to the recovery of 233 grams of cocaine
By CHRISTINA HALE, Staff Writer
Surveillance of a barbershop on Third Street in Washington led to four arrests Friday afternoon and the recovery of over 200 grams of cocaine — a street value of over $200,000 — by the Beaufort County Narcotics Unit.
Investigators said they had received complaints “from concerned citizens about drug activity at the New Image Barbershop.” Lt. Russell Davenport of the unit said the arrests and the recovery of 233 grams of cocaine were the results of a six-month investigation.
Antonio Raye Ruffin, 34, of 95 Jacks St. Washington, and Bernard Moore, 25, of 410 Minor Run Road, Edward, were arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine by possession and conspiracy to traffic cocaine.
Marvin Moore, 45, of 24070 N.C. Highway 33, Aurora, was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of drug paraphernalia.
James Thomas Moore, 17, of 29 Bonnerton Road, Aurora, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine. “He was the lookout,” Davenport said.
Investigators said the men were related, but law-enforcement officers weren’t sure about the specific family connections.
Investigators said over the course of the last six months, they set up purchases of cocaine, then watch the exchanges. They said they had video and the phone recordings of all the transactions.
After witnessing the fourth drug exchange, investigators moved in an arrested Ruffin who they said made the exchange.
Marvin Moore, Bernard Moore and James Moore were arrested inside the shop. A pistol was recovered from underneath Marvin Moore’s coat, said investigators.
A search of the business resulted in the seizure of digital scales with cocaine residue, Davenport said. The investigators said the business was definitely involved in the activity.
Davenport said Bernard and James Moore worked at the shop, Ruffin and Marvin Moore would “just hang out there.”
Ruffin, Marvin Moore and Bernard Moore are being held at the Beaufort County Detention Center under $500,000 bonds. James Moore is being held under a $50,000 bond.
Another drug arrest and seizure was made Thursday night in Belhaven by the Beaufort County Narcotics Unit. Moses Cooper was arrested and charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana. Two pounds of marijuana — 1,000 grams — were seized by investigators during a search of Cooper’s home on Pantego Street, investigators said.
Gary Cooper was driving by during the search and was also arrested on an outstanding warrant charging him with two counts of trafficking cocaine. The charges stemmed from investigators purchasing about 100 grams of cocaine from Gary Cooper, said investigators.
Davenport said the narcotics unit strives to get the “big cases” that involve trafficking charges because “there is a minimum prison sentence with trafficking.”