Bladen County Sheriff James A. McVicker said his Narcotics Unit has closed out several investigations into the sale of illegal drugs in the county recently.
“My Investigators continue to work every day to locate and put drug dealers out of business,” he said.
McVicker noted the Narcotics Unit has completed an investigation into the distribution of controlled substances in the Top Hog Road area of Elizabethtown. This investigation originated from citizen complaints which prompted narcotics agents to investigate the area. Agents conducted undercover purchases from the defendant in this investigation where prescription medication was purchased. At the conclusion of this investigation, on November 9, 2018, the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office served arrest warrants on the defendant. The defendant in this investigation was arrested and processed at the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.
Arrested was Cornelius Altrel Allen, 33, of 231 Whites Creek School Road, Council. He was charged with one count of Sell/Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substances, one count of Possession With Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substances. His bond was set at $10,000.00 secured.
On Monday, November 12, 2018, at approximately 4:33 a.m., a uniformed Patrol Deputy stopped to conduct a welfare check on a stranded vehicle in the 6400 block of NC 87 East. After making contact with the occupants and ensuring they were not in danger, the Deputy observed a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle and subsequently searched the vehicle locating 63.3 grams of Methamphetamine, 5.8 grams of Cocaine, 462.2 grams of Marijuana, an AK-47 rifle with two fully loaded 30-round magazines, $610.00 US Currency, and multiple items of drug paraphernalia. At the conclusion of this investigation, the defendants were arrested and processed at the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.
Arrested was Stephen James Linderman, 28, of 2602 Justus Court, Wilmington, NC. His bond was set at $730,000.00. He was charged with 1 count of Trafficking Methamphetamine, 1 count of Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, 1 count of Felony Possession of Cocaine, 1 count of Felony Possession of Marijuana, 1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Methamphetamine, 1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Cocaine, 1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Marijuana, 1 count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The Defendant was also served with outstanding warrants from New Hanover and Cumberland County on the following charges: 1 count of Driving While License Revoked, 1 count of Resisting Public Officer, 1 count of Possession of Marijuana, 2 counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Also arrested was Carrie Ann Simmons, 34, of 3989 Windtree Court, Leland, NC. Her bond was set at $1,005.000.00. She was charged with 1 count of Trafficking Methamphetamine, 1 count of Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, 1 count of Felony Possession of Cocaine, 1 count of Felony Possession of Marijuana, 1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Methamphetamine, 1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Cocaine, 1 count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Marijuana, 1 count of Possession of Schedule III Controlled Substances, 1 count of Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substances, 1 count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 1 count of Possession of Firearm by Felon. The Defendant was also served with outstanding warrants from Brunswick County on the following charges: 2 counts of Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Methamphetamine, 1 count of Conspire to Sell Methamphetamine, 1 count of Maintaining a Vehicle for the Purposes of Keeping/Storing Controlled Substances, 1 count of Possession of Marijuana, 3 counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Sheriff McVicker said he was extremely proud of the work done not only by the Narcotics Unit but also by the Uniform Patrol Officers.
“Imagine a deputy on routine patrol in the early morning hours who sees a vehicle by the roadside and stops to check on the welfare of the occupants. Before his safety check is over, he will encounter convicted felons with guns, drugs and outstanding warrants,” said McVicker. “This is the reality my deputies face, just like other police officers and troopers. They never know who or what they will end up dealing with. This is just another example that there is no such thing as a “routine” stop.”
McVicker said since February of this year, the Narcotics Unit has conducted 110 undercover purchases of controlled substances, executed 12 search warrants, charged over 120 individuals with controlled substance related offenses and continues to seize and confiscate drugs, guns and currency from these investigations.
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