NEW HANOVER COUNTY — A joint operation between Brunswick and New Hanover County law enforcement that began in early June resulted in the arrest of Nathaniel Josey, 55, and Anthony Lamont Williams, 34, on multiple drug-trafficking and weapons-related charges.
According to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, investigators began building a case against the drug dealers at the beginning of June. The investigation led them to across the bridge into Brunswick County.
Nathaniel Josey was arrested on June 20 by a task force comprised of the FBI Charlotte Division’s Wilmington Resident Agency, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, the Wilmington Police Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
After searching Josey’s residence on Olde Towne Wynde SE, Belville, investigators discovered almost two kilos of cocaine, 23 pounds of marijuana, 32 guns and $60,000 in cash.
Josey has been charged two counts of trafficking cocaine, conspiring to traffic in cocaine, possession with the intent to sell and distribute (PWISD) cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of trafficking in marijuana, conspiring to traffic in marijuana, PWISD marijuana and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.
According to the New Hanover Sheriff’s Office, the investigation led back into New Hanover County where Detectives arrested Anthony Lamont Williams on June 7.
During his arrest, Williams was in possession of over 10 kilos of cocaine, one pound of crack cocaine, one hand gun and $200,000 in cash. Williams was arrested on eight charges including trafficking cocaine and weapon possession.
Sheriff Ed McMahon of New Hanover County and Sheriff John Ingram of Brunswick County held a joint press conference Wednesday to explain the details of the bust.
“We want to show the community again that we’re working together,” McMahon said. “We’ve said it a lot that the bad guys don’t know any jurisdictional lines, and neither do we.”
Josey is being held in the Brunswick County Detention Facility under a $250,000 bond. Williams is being held in the New Hanover County Detention Facility under $10,000,000 secure bond.
