NEW HANOVER COUNTY — After a months-long investigation, the sheriff’s office made an arrest on May 12 that led to over 20 charges and a $10 million secured bond for Salvatore Joseph DeFonte.
The New Hanover County Vice and Narcotics Unit conducted an investigation of counterfeit oxycodone pills that had been laced with fentanyl. The unit found many overdoses in the area throughout the last year were linked to a similar product.
Detectives executed search warrants at 9533 River Road Unit #49 and 6703 Old Brick Road, Unit B last Thursday and found “counterfeit pressed oxycodone pills.” There were 1,081 pills that equaled around 120 grams confiscated, along with drug paraphernalia and over $130,000.00 in U.S. currency.
Officers charged DeFonte with the following felonies:
- 2 counts of trafficking by selling
- 2 counts of trafficking by delivering
- 3 counts of trafficking by manufacturing
- 2 counts of trafficking by transportation
- 3 counts of trafficking by possession
- 7 counts of PWISD Schedule II
- 6 counts of PWISD schedule III
- 6 counts of PWISD schedule IV
- 6 counts of maintaining a vehicle
- 3 counts of Sell/Deliver Schedule II
- 2 counts of Manufacture Schedule II
- 2 counts of Maintaining a Dwelling (2 counts)
- Simple Possession of Schedule V
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
DeFonte is being held at the New Hanover County Detention Facility under a secure bond of $10,255,000.
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