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Two behind bars, one man wanted in connection to house break-ins

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer
Wednesday, May 9th, 2012, 2:34pm
Two behind bars, one man wanted in connection to house break-ins

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Two suspects were captured and one is still missing in connection to a slew of New Hanover County house break-ins, according to Sergeant J.J. Brewer with the Sheriff’s Office.

Daniel Webb-Sholar, 21, and Crystal Denise James, 22 were arrested late Tuesday night and Aaron Tremaine Grady is wanted.

Brewer said that Webb-Sholar is facing 17 counts of breaking and entering, and larceny. His booking report showed the following additional charges:

  • Failure to appear on a misdemeanor
  • Larceny after breaking and entering
  • Obtaining property by false pretense
  • Possession of stolen firearms
  • Possession with the intent to sell, manufacture or deliver marijuana
  • Possession of marijuana between half an ounce and 1.5 ounces
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances

 James was charged with 7 counts of breaking and entering, and larceny, according to Brewer. Her booking report showed the following additional charges:

  • Possession of stolen goods or property
  • Possession of stolen firearms
  • Providing a false report to law enforcement or officers
  • Possession with the intent to sell, manufacture or deliver marijuana
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances
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Local doctor stops writing prescriptions for narcotics

Submitted by Frances Weller, WECT News anchor
Tuesday, May 8th, 2012, 8:52am

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Drug addiction has become such a crisis, at least one doctor in Wilmington has decided to get out of the pill pushing business.

Dr. Al DeMaria, a Wilmington neurologist, stopped writing prescriptions for drugs like Percocet, Hydrocodone and Oxycontin about eight years ago.

DeMaria said he started noticing an increase in patients calling and asking for more refills on prescriptions that had not expired.

"Many patients were coming in overusing them and asking for more. I didn't want to fall into that trap," DeMaria said.

The fastest growing part of America's drug problem is addiction to prescription drugs. 

Kenny House, Vice President of Clinical Services at Coastal Horizons Center says the drug dealers aren't just on the street corners anymore.

"We have a health crisis in our country right now that's stemming from doctors offices."

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3 facing cocaine trafficking charges after drug ring bust

Submitted by Sarah Crandall, Web Producer
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012, 4:47pm

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Three men are facing drug charges following an extensive investigation conducted by the New Hanover County Vice and Narcotics Unit, according to a statement from sheriff's officials.

Abel Robles-Amaral, 24, Zenon Solis-Islas, 27, and Justino Solis Santos, 32, were all arrested on multiple cocaine trafficking charges on Monday evening.

Federal agencies are stepping in to assist with the investigation, which is ongoing, and began in January.

According to Captain Ciamillo, the suspects sold significant amounts of cocaine in Wilmington.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

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AAIPharma opens new location, offers new jobs

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012, 11:48am

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – AAIPharma, a drug development and
manufacturing company, has opened a new facility in Wilmington.

The new Technology Center is located on Scientific Drive and
boasts 40,000 square feet.  According to
a spokesperson for the company, the new location offers some new
jobs.

Company executives, employees and other guests celebrated
the multimillion-dollar investment in the state's economy Tuesday with a ribbon
cutting and grand opening of the pharmaceutical company's new facility.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

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"Pump-it" hits the streets; kids use it to get high

Submitted by WECT Web Staff
Monday, April 9th, 2012, 11:32am

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Law enforcement officers want to warn parents about a new drug that many kids are abusing to get high.

The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office and the Wilmington Police Department joint Downtown Taskforce found a drug called "Pump-it" over the weekend.

According to Sgt. J.J. Brewer with the sheriff's office, "Pump-it" is marketed as an "enhanced plant vitamin" and is not for human use. Many are using it to get high.

Brewer said the Downtown Taskforce found two individuals injecting the substance. Since it's not illegal no arrests were made.

According to Brewer, "Pump-it" is the latest substance law enforcement is dealing with following K-2 and bath salts as a synthetic drug.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

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Detectives stop well-organized heroin trafficking ring from NJ

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director
Monday, April 9th, 2012, 8:47am

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Officials with the Wilmington Police Department made an announcement Thursday morning about a significant heroin arrest.

Detectives said a six-month investigation resulted in the arrest of eight people from a drug ring out of New Jersey.  One is facing murder charges in New Jersey and two others had a one-year-old baby with them.

During the arrest, detectives also seized marijuana and $6,700 in cash.  All eight people will face charges in New Hanover County before being transported back to New Jersey for charges they face there.

Officials said the eight people were operating a well-organized heroin trafficking ring and are believed to be distributing it to gangs when the arrived in the Wilmington area.

Detectives estimate they have sold about 30,000 doses of heroin per month since they started coming to the area.  Each dose has a street value of $20 each.

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Men face charges related to drug trafficking

Submitted by WECT Web Staff
Tuesday, March 27th, 2012, 6:08pm

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Two men are facing charges following the efforts of a joint month-long investigation between the Wilmington Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Unit and the SBI, according to a spokesperson for the WPD.

Authorities say 37-year-old Michael Lamont Webb of Leland sold undercover officers about a quarter-kilogram of crack cocaine. Webb has been charged with nine counts of trafficking in cocaine, possession of a firearm by a felon, probation violation and three counts of failure to appear.

Webb is being held under a $1,045,300 bond.

Additionally, Robert Franklin Graham, 32, of Delco was charged with two counts of conspiracy to traffic in cocaine.

Graham is being held under a $100,000 bond.

Two suspects are in custody at the New Hanover County detention facility tonight after first appearance in court earlier today. One of them is being held under $1,045,300 bond.

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