Four Arrested on Drug Charges

Officers with the Lexington County Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) have arrested four suspects and seized about 28 grams of cocaine they allegedly intended to distribute, the Lexington County Sheriff's reported Friday.

The cocaine has a street value of about $2,000, based on a street sales value of about $100 per gram of cocaine, authorities said.

Lexington County Sheriff James Metts said NET officers arrested Gloria Jean Buckner, 39, of Lexington, Eric Ernesto Blackmon, 52, of West Columbia, Curtis Wilson Ruff, 44, of Lexington, and Tyrone Winfred Pringle, 44, of Columbia, at 2038 Airport Boulevard in the West Columbia area of Lexington County on Thursday.  

Buckner is charged with trafficking cocaine, Blackmon is charged with distribution of cocaine, Ruff is charged with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, and Pringle is charged with possession of marijuana.  

Pringle was released from the Lexington County Detention Center on Friday on a personal recognizance bond. Blackmon, Buckner, and Ruff remain jailed at the Lexington County Detention Center.  

Officers arrested the four suspects after receiving anonymous tips from citizens about alleged drug sales at The Rock Sports Bar, 2038 Airport Boulevard, West Columbia, Metts said. Officers conducted a several month investigation before making the arrests on Thursday.

Metts encourages citizens who want to report illegal drug activity, can do so anonymously by calling CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC or call the NET Hotline at (803) 785-8411.