NEW HANOVER COUNTY — The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office (NHCSO) announced today that detectives had seized 100 pounds of “high-grade marijuana,” about $150,000 worth, that may have been part of a weekly air-dropped shipment into the Wilmington area.
According to NHCSO, Vice and Narcotics detectives conducted a week-long investigation based upon information from a confidential informant (CI) who helped arrange a meeting for a controlled buy of 10 to 15 pounds of marijuana.
The seller was Aqib Khan Malik, 22, recently released on probation on several drug-related charges in Rowan County, according to North Carolina Department of Public Safety records.
According to details of the search warrant, Malik, who resides in High Point, told the CI that he received a 100-pounds delivery of marijuana every week. As part of the investigation, the CI met Malik to discuss purchasing a large amount (i.e. enough for a trafficking offense) of marijuana; Malik agreed to sell the CI 10 to 15 pounds, for $1,500 a pound — Malik also stated he sells kilos of cocaine for between $20,000 and $30,000.
On Thursday evening around 9 p.m. detectives executed a search warrant for a residence at 5006 Park Avenue, where they seized “approximately one hundred pounds of high-grade marijuana,” according to NHCSO Spokesperson Jerry Brewer.
Malik was arrested, charged with nine felony counts including trafficking. Also arrested was Trevor Rocklein, 20, on seven felony charge including trafficking. Both are being held without bond.
