NEWBERRY COUNTY — Two Columbia men were arrested Wednesday and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine after they were stopped in a public safety checkpoint.
Jody Edward Miles, 40, of 516 Thornwood Court in Columbia, and Adam Burke Smithey, 36, of 4052 Platt Springs Road in West Columbia, were each charged with trafficking methamphetamine, unlawful carrying a pistol, open container, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Miles was released March 31 after posting $25,000 bond. Smithey remained in jail Thursday in lieu of $25,000 bond and was also being held for Lexington County for outstanding charges in their jurisdiction.
Sheriff Lee Foster said the two approached a public safety check point at Dreher Island Road and State Park Road that was being conducted by the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office and the S.C. Highway Patrol.
Officers located approximately 45 grams of methamphetamine, two pistols (a Glock .40-caliber and a Taurus .380), $134 in cash and a set of digital scales. They also had open containers of alcohol.
“We are blessed that these men were removed from the roads without anyone getting injured,” said Foster. “We want the public to know that we are out working to protect them from people like this who chose to endanger so many people through their reckless actions.”