On July 19, 2018, Baldwin Woods Pharmacy contacted Columbus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) after a recent inventory revealed discrepancies. CCSO Vice-Narcotics Detectives responded to the pharmacy and initiated the investigation. During the investigation, CCSO Vice-Narcotics Detectives discovered that an outside contractor gained access to the pharmacy while performing his job duties. During the defendant’s visit to the pharmacy on the 19th, the defendant did steal, take and carry away 700 Oxycodone tablets. CCSO Vice-Narcotics Detectives identified the defendant and the vehicle he was driving. The Detectives located a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle the defendant was driving, same being a pest control company’s vehicle.
CCSO Vice-Narcotics Detectives initiated a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle. The vehicle was stopped in the public vehicular area of Bojangles’ in Whiteville. The defendant was in fact driving the vehicle. He was taken into custody for the above crime.
CCSO Vice-Narcotics Detectives conducted a search of 89 Tart Road in Clarkton, same being the defendant’s residence. During the search, Detectives located Oxycodone tablets in the original bottles from Baldwin Woods Pharmacy. Detectives also located Oxycodone tablets packaged, ready to distribute, on the defendant’s person. CCSO Vice-Narcotics Detectives recovered the majority of the stolen Oxycodone tablets from this incident. The street value of the stolen tablets is approximately $8,000.00.
This investigation is ongoing. Additional charges are anticipated pending additional audits by Baldwin Woods Pharmacy. Mitchell is being held on a $75,000.00 Secured Bond.
Charges:
- 4 Felony counts of Trafficking Opium or Heroin
- 1 Felony count of Larceny
