WILMINGTON — Inaccurate testing is to blame for the dismissal of trafficking charges against three individuals arrested last week in Wilmington. The case had previously believed to be the state’s largest fentanyl bust with almost 13 pounds of a powdery white substance seized.
Preliminary test results were positive for the drug but now lab tests have proven this not to be the case. After a rushed lab test came back negative for fentanyl, Sheriff Ed McMahon and District Attorney Ben David released statements regarding the situation.
Related: Update: New Hanover Sheriff says 13 pounds of substance seized not actually fentanyl
“Earlier this week, Sheriff Ed McMahon and I requested that the State Crime Lab conduct expedited confirmatory testing on a substance that initial tests indicated to be fentanyl. Today, we learned that the substance was not, in fact, fentanyl,” David said.
“As a result, trafficking and some related charges against Wanda Moore, William McIntire, and Charles Batts were dismissed. In light of this new information, my office requested that the defendants be brought before a district court judge to have their bonds revisited,” he concluded.
Judge Robin Robinson did revisit the bonds of the accused and reduced them to $10,000 secured bonds.
While the trio is not charged with the fentanyl any longer, there are still several pending charges including possession of heroin, possession of marijuana, and several other crimes.
Neither McMahon or David have announced what the substance mistaken for fentanyl actually is.
Send comments and tips to [email protected]
