Tabor City, NC – On June 28, 2018, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotics Detectives were patrolling a known drug area in Chadbourn. Vice-Narcotics Detectives noticed a vehicle leaving the area, driving erratically. The driver, James Eldred Buffkin, passed a Vice-Narcotics Detective’s vehicle in a curve, in a no passing area. The Detectives initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle stopped near Emerson Road and Old Stake Road in Tabor City. When the Vice-Narcotics Detectives approached the driver of the vehicle, he was attempting to put on his clothing. He was wearing no pants. Vice-Narcotics Detectives searched Mr. Buffkin’s vehicle and located approximately 30 dosage units of Oxycodone. James Eldred Buffkin was arrested and charged with the above crimes. He was processed at the Columbus County Law Enforcement Center where he was incarcerated with a $7500.00 secured bond.
In December 2017, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotics Detectives arrested and charged Mr. Buffkin for Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance and Maintaining a Vehicle for the Use, Sale, or Storage of a Controlled Substance. Mr. Buffkin was in possession of Percocet tablets during this incident. He is currently on probation for the December 2017 charges.
Charges:
- 1 felony count of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance
- 1 felony count of Maintaining a Vehicle for Use, Sale, or Storage of Controlled Substance
