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Tabor City, NC – The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotics Unit arrested two individuals after an approximately seven month long investigation into a “pill mill” operating at 211 East 5th Street in Tabor City. Dr. Jong Whan Kim along with his office manager and girlfriend, Tammy Lynn Thompson, were arrested today, June 29th. This investigation originated from numerous citizen complaints and anonymous tips.

During the investigation, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotics Detectives utilized an undercover agent to purchase ounces of marijuana from Tammy Lynn Thompson, on numerous occasions. The undercover agent also purchased 115 hydrocodone tablets from Thompson.

On June 29th, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Dr. Kim’s residence located at 303 Stake Road in Tabor City and at Dr. Kim’s office located at 211 East 5th Street in Tabor City. During the search, the following items were located inside of Dr. Kim’s residence:

Tramadol
Marijuana
Morphine Sulfate
Hydrocodone
Methadone Hydrochloride

The above seized narcotics were packaged and ready to sell; some items were packaged in unmarked medication bottles for easy distribution. Detectives seized multiple related records from Dr. Kim’s office.

Dr. Kim’s office was located less than 1000 feet from Tabor City Elementary School. The office lacked the normal examination equipment that you usually see in a physician’s office. The exam rooms did not have examination tables only a chair for the patient to sit in. Patients would pay a set amount in cash to see Dr. Kim in exchange for a narcotics prescription in their name. The patient would then have the prescription filled at an area pharmacy. The office had numerous waiting rooms and they were all full when Detectives executed the search warrant.

This investigation is ongoing. Additional charges may be forthcoming.

We received an overwhelming number of tips and complaints from citizens concerning the defendants in this case. The complaints and anonymous tips were instrumental in this investigation. Thank you Columbus County for being proactive! Columbus County Sheriff’s Office and the Vice-Narcotics Unit strongly encourage citizens to notify us about illegal activities. Call us, send us an email, or use the anonymous tip functions on the MobilePatrol app and on our website.

Defendant 1:

Arrested:
Jong Whan Kim
303 Stake Road, Tabor City, NC 28463
A-M
D.O.B.: 02-03-1947

Bond:
$ 5,580,000.00 Secured Bond.

Charges:
1 Felony count of Conspiring to Sell/Deliver Marijuana
2 Felony counts of Conspiring to Traffic Opium/Heroin
1 Felony count of Unlawful Prescribing of a Controlled Substance Without a Legitimate Medical Purpose
1 Felony count of Maintaining a Dwelling for Use, Sale, or Storage of Controlled Substance
4 Felony counts of Trafficking Opium or Heroin
2 Felony counts of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
1 Felony count of Possession with the Intent to Sell and/or Deliver Marijuana
1 Felony counts of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule IV Controlled Substance
2 Felony counts of Selling a Controlled Substance Within 1000 feet of a School

Defendant 2:

Arrested:
Tammy Lynn Thompson
303 Stake Road, Tabor City, NC 28463
W-F
D.O.B.: 01-19-1965

Bond:
$ 760,000.00 Secured Bond.

Charges:
6 Felony counts of Sell/Deliver Schedule VI Controlled Substance
7 Felony counts of Possession with the Intent to Sell and/or Deliver Marijuana
4 Felony counts of Maintaining a Dwelling for Use, Sale, or Storage of Controlled Substance
1 Felony count of Maintaining a Vehicle for Use, Sale, or Storage of Controlled Substance
7 Felony counts of Trafficking Opium or Heroin
1 Felony count of Conspiring to Sell/Deliver Marijuana
2 Felony counts of Conspiring to Traffic Opium/Heroin
7 Felony counts of Selling a Controlled Substance Within 1000 feet of a School
2 Felony counts of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
1 Felony counts of Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver Schedule IV Controlled Substance

https://bladencounty.org/tc-doctor-bladenboro-resident-arrested-for-running-pill-mill/

https://bladencounty.org/former-elizabethtown-doctor-arrested-as-part-of-opioid-crackdown/