Drug agents in Brunswick County have arrested a 71-year-old man on more than a dozen drug charges involving heroin, cocaine. prescription medication and marijuana.
Raymond Clifton Bird, of Antigua Drive in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, faces several felony drug charges following a six-month investigation sparked by community tips, according to Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Spokeswoman Emily Flax.
Bird was arrested during a traffic stop in the area of U.S. 17 and Thomasboro Road in Calabash at about 9:30 a.m. Friday, Flax said. Detectives stopped Bird in a silver Ford truck. Upon searching Bird and the vehicle, detectives reportedly found 180 bindles of heroin.
A search warrant was later conducted by the Horry County Drug Enforcement Unit at Bird’s home and a nearby storage facility in South Carolina. In that search, detectives reportedly found 25 grams of raw heroin, which equates to about 2,500 bindles with street value between $15-20 per bindle, as well as $18,000 in cash.
Flax said that Bird was reportedly selling the drugs in the south end of Brunswick County. According to arrest warrants, detectives also found 5.2 grams of Xanax, 4 grams of cocaine, and 3.2 grams of marijuana in his vehicle.
Bird has been charged with two counts of trafficking in opium or heroin; three counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver heroin; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver cocaine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a schedule IV controlled substance; possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver marijuana; maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance; possession of heroin; felony possession of cocaine; misdemeanor carrying a concealed gun; misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia; and simple possession of a schedule IV controlled substance.
He was booked at the Brunswick County Detention Facility under a $1 million secured bond.
