Thursday, March 28, 2024

NHCSO arrests 4 after drug investigation

Drugs siezed in an NHCSO and BCSHO investigation that concluded Monday. (NHCSO).

NEW HANOVER COUNTY — Four people were arrested and multiple drugs were seized after a multi-jurisdictional investigation concluded on Monday.

With assistance from the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Vice and Narcotic Division arrested Ruben Chavez, Bernardo Escobedo, Amaya Lopez and Kiera Mastin for varying drug charges.

The arrests were made after the NHCSO followed up on a crime tip to the office stating Ruben Chavez was selling large amounts of methamphetamines in the Wilmington area. On Feb. 27, the NHCSO executed a search warrant at 322 Davie Drive and another at 2456 Confederate Drive in Wilmington. A search warrant was also served on 9476 Beulah Lane in Navassa.

According to the NHCSO, deputies seized 1,347 grams of methamphetamines, 104 grams of cocaine, 928 counterfeit pressed pills marked M30 that tested positive for fentanyl, 182 counterfeit pills packaged as Xanax, 178 grams of marijuana and miscellaneous bulk cash.

Chavez is charged with multiple trafficking related charges for methamphetamine/cocaine/fentanyl, multiple possession with intend to distribute charges for methamphetamine/cocaine/fentanyl, multiple selling a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school charges, multiple maintain dwelling/vehicle charges, along with numerous other narcotic related charges — 90 total. He is being held on a $3,000,000 secure bond.

Escobedo has two trafficking charges for fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and maintain dwelling. He is being held under a $1,500,000 secure bond.

Lopez is charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, maintain dwelling and possession of drug paraphernalia. She has a $ 4,000 secure bond.

Mastin is charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia with a $1,000 secure bond.


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