NEW HANOVER COUNTY — Assistant District Attorney Timothy Severo said the sentencing of two Wilmington men last week disrupted a “significant heroin pipeline to Wilmington.”
Severo was the prosecutor on the cases against Michael McMillian, 32, and Ahmad Davis, age 40, who were both arrested after traveling to New York to buy heroin they planned to process and distribute in the Wilmington area.
Severo credited “the combined efforts, hard work and cooperation between various law enforcement agencies” in a press release issued by District Attorney Ben David’s office on Monday.
According to the release, on Feb. 11, 2015, Davis, McMillian and two other people agreed to travel to New York in two cars to obtain a quantity of raw heroin. McMillian had the connection from whom to obtain the heroin, while Davis was to provide the money.
The three traveled north in the summer of that year. The purchase of “a large amount” of heroin and a cutting agent happened on July 12, 2015.
“Prior to leaving New York, a female was given an amount of the heroin to test. She then fell unconscious and was revived in a hotel room,” the release states.
Later on July 12, both cars left New York with the heroin hidden in a child’s toy. Davis and McMillian traveled in the other car, which was owned and driven by a third male party.
The DA’s office said the group stopped at a Walmart in Maryland and purchased a grinder, stamps and other items to package the raw heroin for distribution.
“Law Enforcement received information that this group would be going to New York and would be returning with the heroin,” the release states. “New Hanover County and Jacksonville Police detectives worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force to set up mobile surveillance and stopped both cars near Castle Hayne.”
A search revealed approximately 30 grams of heroin and almost two ounces of a cutting agent hidden in the child’s toy. Davis, McMillian and the third male were arrested in the second car, which also contained the items for packaging and distribution.
McMillian pleaded guilty last week in New Hanover County Superior Court to trafficking in heroin more than four grams by transportation, manufacturing and possession. Judge John Nobles sentenced him to 70-93 months in prison and a fine of $50,000.
Davis had previously pleaded guilty to trafficking in heroin more than 28 grams, conspiracy to traffic in heroin more than 28 grams and possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin.
Judge Charles Henry sentenced him to 60-84 months in prison.
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