ROCKINGHAM — A Scotland County man is facing drug trafficking charges in Richmond County for the second time in two years.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and investigators with the Community Impact Team executed a search warrant at 127 W. Eason Drive the evening of June 13.
Investigators reportedly found 73.21 grams of methamphetamine and 10 grams of fentanyl, as well as an unspecified firearm.
According to the arrest warrant, 27-year-old Christopher Lamont Chavis, of Wagram, was mixing fentanyl in a blender with an unknown substance. A set of digital scales was also reportedly found.
The sheriff’s office calls the operation “a significant milestone in our ongoing investigation into the illegal distribution of narcotics in the area, which has been a top priority for our law enforcement team.”
Chavis was arrested and charged with: trafficking in methamphetamine; trafficking in opium or heroin; manufacturing a Schedule II controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
“This seizure is a direct result of the tireless work by our deputies and the Community Impact Team," Sheriff Mark Gulledge said in a statement. "We want to assure you that we remain steadfast in our commitment to keeping these deadly drugs off our streets and ensuring the safety of our community. You can trust that we are working diligently to protect you."
He is being held in the Richmond County Jail on a $1.1 million secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court July 3.
Prior to the arrest, Chavis was out on bond for another pending drug trafficking case from 2023. In that case, Chavis is one of three defendants accused of trafficking methamphetamine and MDMA from a home in Cordova.
Those pending charges are: trafficking in methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine; trafficking in MDMA; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule I controlled substance; possession of methamphetamine; and felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance.
His co-defendants in that case are also still awaiting trial, records show.
Court records show Chavis also has pending charges in Scotland County from 2018-2019: two counts of accessory after the fact; accessory after the fact to attempted first-degree murder; carrying a concealed gun; felony possession of cocaine; and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Chavis has a pending bond forfeiture case in Mecklenburg County and a pending traffic citation in Union County. Records also show Chavis has had bond forfeitures and still owes $5,714.80 in Randolph County, $668.27 in Union, and $55 in Mecklenburg.
The sheriff’s office encourages anyone with information of illegal drug activity to call the sheriff’s office at 910-895-3232, or submit tips anonymously to Richmond County Crime Stoppers via the P3 tips app or by calling 910-997-5454.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
