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There were 27 arrests made on Friday, January 4th and there are eight more warrants for arrests in Bladen County. Sheriff James A. McVicker and Bladenboro Police Chief William Howell announced the results of a joint investigation conducted in and around the town of Bladenboro in the last two months.
Over the past several months, the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office Vice/Narcotics Unit had received multiple complaints in reference to the sale and delivery of controlled substances in and around Bladenboro, NC. On November 13, 2018, William Howell was sworn in as Police Chief with the Bladenboro Police Department and requested the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office Vice/Narcotics Unit to assist with conducting numerous controlled purchases of various types and amounts of controlled substances throughout the town of Bladenboro. After being requested to assist the Bladenboro Police Department, the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office Vice/Narcotics Unit identified 35 individuals who are accused of selling controlled substances to undercover agents in and around the town of Bladenboro.
On Friday, January 4, 2019, the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office conducted a multi-agency round-up where 27 of the 35 identified targets were apprehended. During this operation, multiple identified subjects were charged with additional controlled substance and firearms related offenses. An additional individual was located with an amount of methamphetamine during the arrest of an identified target and was arrested for this offense.
Warrants for over 180 criminal charges were secured for this operation. The Bladenboro Police Department, Bladen County District Attorney’s Office, North Carolina Probation and Parole, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina Information Sharing and Analysis Center, United States Marshal Service, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and Bladen County Emergency Medical Services assisted with this operation according to the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office.
The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office has outstanding warrants for the arrest of eight (8) remaining targets from this investigation. Sheriff McVicker is requesting anyone with information in regards to the whereabouts of these individuals to please contact the Vice/Narcotics Unit at (910) 874-0656. All information will remain anonymous.
Chief William Howell with the Bladenboro Police Department stated Monday morning he would like to extend his appreciation to the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff James A. McVicker for all of their assistance with this operation. Chief Howell stated, “I hope this joint operation will assist in curbing the sale and delivery of illegal narcotics in and around the Town of Bladenboro.” Howell went on to say he was extremely pleased with the working relationship between the Bladenboro Police Department and the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office since he took office in November.
Sheriff McVicker said, “Chief Howell and his officers are a valuable asset to not only the town of Bladenboro but also to Bladen County. These men and women have worked hand in hand with my deputies to get drugs off the streets and out of the hands of our young people. This was a joint effort.”
The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office Vice/Narcotics Unit has conducted more than 30 controlled purchases from additional individuals not named in this operation. Future operations are anticipated and numerous controlled purchases are being conducted daily according to the Sheriff’s Office.
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