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The Hertford County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the Ahoskie Police Department and the Murfreesboro Police Department, conducted drivers license checking stations in the Murfreesboro and Ahoskie areas on March 1.

At the checking stations, officers were able to utilize the “Booze It & Lose It” Mobile Command Center furnished by the North Carolina Highway Patrol. This enables officers to process serious offenses on the scene and maximize the efficiency of the operation.

As a result of this effort, three were charged with DWI, three arrests were made for possession of illegal drugs, and one stolen vehicle was recovered.

Citations were issued for failing to use safety belt restraints (5), driving without a license (6), driving while license revoked (6), vehicle registration violations (12), auto insurance violation (1), and miscellaneous violations (5).

Murfreesboro Checkpoint

Deandre McNeil, age 32 of Franklin, VA, was a passenger in a vehicle where a strong odor of marijuana was observed. McNeil was subsequently searched and found in possession of cocaine, marijuana and a firearm. McNeil was charged with Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Carrying a Concealed Weapon. McNeil was placed under a $5,000 secured bond and transferred to the Hertford County Detention Center.

Ahoskie Checkpoint

Jerkayla Cofield, age 21 of Elizabeth City, was found to be driving on a suspended license. Officers also observed a damaged steering column on the vehicle she was driving. Upon checking the vehicle, officers learned the vehicle was stolen from Elizabeth City. Once the stolen vehicle was confirmed by Pasquotank County Communications, Cofield was arrested for Driving While License Revoked and Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle. Cofield was processed and transferred to the Hertford County Detention Center under a $3,000 secured bond.

During the time of the checkpoints, the Down East Drug & Violent Crime Task Force along with North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement followed up on several complaints throughout the county.

Agents went an address on Buena Vista Road in Murfreesboro and during the investigation gained probable cause for a search warrant on the residence. While executing the search warrant a large amount of cocaine, marijuana and firearms were seized.

Marques Hicks, age 46, was charged with Trafficking Cocaine, Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2counts), Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Hicks was processed and transferred to the Hertford County Detention Center under a $225,000 bond.

Also during an investigation into a narcotics complaint at the Tomahawk Motel in Ahoskie, agents were given consent to search room 275 by the occupant. During the search, cocaine was found to be in possession of the occupant. Ellic Sharpe Jr., age 47, was subsequently charged with Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Cocaine and his arrest is pending.