‘Betterment’ effort nets 95 charges

By DEUCE NIVEN
Enforcement efforts by five law enforcement agencies during two recent weekends focused on Fair Bluff and Chadbourn resulted in 95 charges, Fair Bluff Police Chief Justin Hewett said Tuesday.
Officers from the Fair Bluff, Chadbourn and Tabor City police departments, the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement took part in the ongoing “Community Betterment Project,” Hewett said in a news release.
“The purpose of this project is to make the streets safer for the citizens of Columbus County and to rid the streets of violent offenders, illegal firearms, and narcotics,” Hewett said.
Charges filed included felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana and a variety of other drug and motor vehicle related offenses.
Hewett said his “ultimate goal” is to make “Fair Bluff a safer place to live.” Anyone with information on criminal activity in Fair Bluff is asked to call 910-649-7323. Anonymous tips will be accepted, Hewett said.