SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA – Five suspects are wanted on various drug charges following a daylong operation by an FBI task force in Brunswick and New Hanover counties, aimed at arresting and charging drug dealers to combat the rise of heroin distribution along the Cape Fear coast.
The Coastal Carolina Criminal Enterprise Task Force arrested 11 people Wednesday, charged two suspects already in custody and are seeking five wanted suspects, according to FBI Spokeswoman Shelley Lynch. Task force members removed heroin and cocaine from the streets as a result of the operation.
“Already the first strike to the drug suppliers has been felt,” Lynch said. “These arrests are an outstanding example of what local and federal law enforcement can accomplish when we work together to target the individuals who threaten the safety and stability of our neighborhood streets.”
State, local and federal authorities announced the formation of the new task force two weeks ago, during a press conference at Wilmington’s FBI office on July 14. The federal task force is combining the efforts of the FBI’s Wilmington Resident Agency, the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). Charges brought about through task force investigations and operations like the on conducted on Wednesday, can be prosecuted in either state or federal courts.
The joint task force is aimed at combating the Cape Fear region’s heroin epidemic by helping local authorities break through county, state and national borders to arrest and prosecute criminals that aid in supplying heroin to the region.
Other agencies assisted in the operation Wednesday include the Wilmington Police Department, Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, N.C. State Highway Patrol, Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and Jacksonville Police Department.
The five suspects wanted include: 21-year-old Ian Chandler Bellamy-Brown, of Longwood; 34-year-old Wiilliam Lamont Edward Daniels, of Longwood; 31-year-old Stevie Dewayne Riggins, of Green Sea in South Carolina; 38-year-old Antonia Montuz Smith, of Longwood; and 27-year-old Delonne Christopher Watts of Longwood.
The following is a list of those arrested or charged in Wednesday’s operation:
Troy Ahkeem Wilson, 37, of Winnabow, was charged while a federal prisoner.
Bradley Christopher Griffin, Jr. 31, of Longwood, is in the Brunswick County jail under a $2 million secured bond on charges of three counts of conspire to sell or deliver heroin, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver cocaine, selling or delivering cocaine, and conspire to sell or deliver cocaine.
Daphne Claudette Stanley, 42, of Longwood, is in the Brunswick County jail under a $2.01 million secured bond on charges of felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver heroin, selling or delivering heroin, and two counts of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
Patrick Lee Taylor, 34, of Longwood, is booked at the Brunswick County jail under a $3.55 million secured bond. He was taken into custody on July 16. His most recent charges related to the operation selling or delivering cocaine and possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine.
Michael Jarell Stanley, 28, of Longwood, is booked at the Brunswick County jail under a $2 million secured bond on charges of two counts of selling or delivering cocaine, two counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, and conspire to sell or deliver cocaine.
Jody Overby, 38, of Supply, is booked at the Brunswick County jail under a $2 million secured bond on charges of two counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver heroin, two counts of selling or delivering heroin, and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sharmaine Ranotta Brown, 29, of Ash, was booked at the Brunswick County jail under a $2.01 million secured bond on charges of two count of possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, selling or delivering cocaine, and maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance.
Jodi Riley, 40, of Ash, was booked at the Brunswick County jail under a $2 million secured bond on charge of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver heroin.
Hester Griffin, 56, of Longwood, was booked at the Brunswick County jail under a $10,000 secured bond on charges of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Xavier Antialio Williams, 27, of Calabash, is booked at the Brunswick County jail under a $2 million bond on charges of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver cocaine and selling or delivering cocaine.
Clifton Jenkins, 28, of Wallace, was booked at the New Hanover County jail under a $50,000 secured bond on charges of selling or delivering heroin, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver heroin, and conspiracy to sell or deliver heroin.
Israel McCloud-Williamson, 21, of Wilmington, was released Thursday from the New Hanover County Jail on a $25,000 bail. He is charged with selling and delivering a schedule III controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule III controlled substance, and conspiracy to sell or deliver a schedule III controlled substance.
