Six people face several felony charges, including heroin trafficking, after a nine-month narcotics investigation in Wilmington.
A search warrant at a home located in the 100 block of Northern Boulevard in Wilmington around 6:30 a.m. Friday led to the charges, according to Wilmington Police Department Spokeswoman Cathryn Lindsay.
Members of the police department’s SWAT team and vice-narcotics unit, as well as members of the New Hanover County ERT unit, participated in the search, Lindsay said. The nine-month investigation into complaints about the home’s residents was aided by information received via Text-A-Tip.
Detectives seized 42 grams of raw heroin, 867 bags of heroin, three handguns and a shot gun, Lindsay said. One of the handguns was reportedly stolen.
The following people face drug trafficking and other charges in the case:
- Richard Anthony Stinson, 35, of Northern Boulevard in Wilmington, was charged with two counts of trafficking in opium or heroin; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver heroin; maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance; manufacturing a schedule I controlled substance; manufacturing, selling, distributing or possessing a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park; four counts of possession of a firearm by a felon; possession of stolen firearms; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Shakeem Ijeoma Bryant, 24, of Taylor Street in Wilmington, was charged with two counts of trafficking heroin; conspiracy to traffic in opium or heroin; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule I controlled substance; manufacturing a schedule I controlled substance; manufacturing, selling, distributing or possessing a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park; maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance; possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of failure to appear on a misdemeanor. He also faces charges of common law robbery and assault on a female.
- Yolanda Montgomery, 49, of Northern Boulevard in Wilmington, was charged with two counts of trafficking heroin; maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance; conspiracy to traffic in opium or heroin; manufacturing, selling, distributing or selling a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule I controlled substance; possession of drug paraphernalia; and failure to appear on a misdemeanor.
- Aethena Delpina Striplin, 39, of Mount Vernon, New York, was charged with two counts of trafficking heroin; conspiracy to traffic in opium or heroin; manufacturing a schedule I controlled substance; maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule I controlled substance; manufacturing, selling, distributing or possessing a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Julian Hutchins, 34, of White Plains, New York, was charged with two counts of trafficking heroin; conspiracy to traffic in opium or heroin; manufacturing a schedule I controlled substance; maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule I controlled substance; manufacturing, selling, distributing or possessing a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Nicholas Alexander Blanks, 30, of Northern Boulevard in Wilmington, was charged with two counts of trafficking heroin; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver heroin; maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance; manufacturing a schedule I controlled substance; manufacturing, selling, distributing or possessing a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
All six suspects were booked at the New Hanover County Jail on Friday without bonds.
