SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. — A routine traffic stop on July 5 turned into a major drug bust after officers with the Southern Pines Police Department’s Directed Patrol Unit discovered multiple types of illegal narcotics, cash, and paraphernalia inside a vehicle near Buffalo Wild Wings on U.S. Highway 1.
At 10:23 p.m., officers initiated the stop for a motor vehicle infraction in the restaurant’s parking lot. Upon approaching the vehicle, police detected the odor of controlled substances and observed a bag of suspected narcotics in plain view, according to a press release from the department.
A search of the vehicle, driver, and passenger revealed the following items:
5.20 grams of cocaine
12.70 grams of marijuana
27.20 grams of methamphetamine
66 dosage units of MDMA (ecstasy)
3.50 grams of fentanyl
$1,288 in cash
Digital scales and drug paraphernalia
Suspects and Charges:
Christopher Pearson, 41, of Gibson, NC, and Faneisha Bethea, 34, of Fayetteville, NC, were arrested at the scene.
Both suspects were taken before a Moore County magistrate:
Pearson received a $25,000 secured bond
Bethea received a $15,000 secured bond
They are scheduled to appear in Moore County Court on July 24, 2025.
Charges Filed (each facing two counts per charge):
Maintaining a vehicle for the sale of controlled substances
Possession with intent to sell and deliver:
Schedule I controlled substances
Schedule II controlled substances
Marijuana
Possession of:
Cocaine
Marijuana
Drug paraphernalia
Ongoing Enforcement Efforts:
The Southern Pines Police Department emphasized its continued commitment to proactive patrol and drug enforcement efforts to ensure public safety.
