Sheriff's office and Washington PD arrest local man on drug charges

Officers with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and the Washington Police Department recently confiscated cocaine, with an estimated street value of $5,000, from a residence on Beck Drive. Pictured with the drugs and approximately $3,400 in cash, that was also seized, is Sheriff Gerald Lawson.

Ronnie Norman Bynes, 40, was arrested on drug charges after officers with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and the Washington Police Department executed a search warrant at his residence on Beck Drive in the Piney Woods subdivision Saturday, February 2.

This marks the second search warrant to be served at this location in the last two years.

According to the incident report filed by the sheriff's office, when the officers arrived at the residence, they found Bynes sitting in a Crown Victoria, parked in the front yard. Assisted by a drug dog, belonging to the Washington Police Department, the officers searched the vehicle and discovered a quantity of crack cocaine and powder cocaine.

While deputies placed Bynes in custody, other officers entered the residence and detained the subject's wife, Juanita F. Bynes. A search of the house revealed a quantity of powder cocaine and crack cocaine concealed in a kitchen cabinet.

The drugs found in the car and the residence were assigned a street value of approximately $5,000. In addition to the drugs, officers also seized close to $3,400 in cash, two vehicles, and a home security system.

Bynes is presently being held in custody in the Lincoln County Law Enforcement Center on a $50,000 bond, set by the Lincoln County magistrate judge, and on a probation hold from Richmond County. He is charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

"While Mr. Bynes is only one of many selling and trafficking drugs in our county, he is one less dealer that the citizens of Lincoln County have to worry about today," said Sheriff Gerald Lawson.

In other comments, he stated, "I have made it a point to condemn anything and everything from drug dealers that is allowable by the courts. If condemned by the court, the proceeds from this most recent seizure should help in providing the funds necessary to continue the investigation and prosecution of drug cases in Lincoln County."