WINTERVILLE – The cell phone bill of Bertie County Sheriff John Holley continues to be money well spent.

Thanks to yet another tip called into that line, a man wanted on drug trafficking charges in Bertie County was arrested in Pitt County on Tuesday. James Edward Speller II of Governor’s Road in Windsor, who escaped from custody Friday after leading officers to the location of another supposed drug suspect, was captured.

“I received a call that gave me the whereabouts of the suspect,” Sheriff Holley said. “I relayed that information to our officers and two of them went to Pitt County to arrest him and bring him back here.”

Chief Deputy Greg Atkins and Narcotics Officer Brian Edmondson of the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Pitt County where they met with sheriff’s deputies in that county.

“Together they were able to work out the location of the suspect and go to the house we were given and he was at that location,” Sheriff Holley said.

Upon arrival at the home in Winterville, Speller was taken into custody.

He was placed in the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail under a $250,000 secured bond, charged with two counts of trafficking opium or heroin, resisting a public officer and maintaining a vehicle or dwelling to keep a controlled substance.

Sheriff Holley said he was appreciative of the work of his officers and of the assistance from the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office.

He also said he appreciated the citizen who provided the information.

“We are always glad when citizens call in to provide information they have,” Sheriff Holley insisted. “We are in this together and anytime they can help with information, we can help them by getting criminals off the street.”