Drugs

Police concerned about 'shake and bake' meth labs

Submitted by Ashlea Kosikowski, WECT News

Friday, April 12th, 2013, 7:54am

Meth can be made in a soda bottle, using the "shake and bake" method, according to police.

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Police in Wilmington are seeing more meth labs in our community.

Officers believe the increase is due to the fact that it's getting easier to make meth.

The new method to make meth is called "shake and bake." All the cooks need are a few ingredients and a one liter plastic bottle to make the drug.

In the past, meth operations required a lot of equipment.

"It is no longer the more elaborate labs people think about with all the beakers and tubes," said Captain Jeff Allsbrook from WPD.

Allsbrook said the increase in meth is concerning.

The new method also makes it easier than ever to transport, making meth even more dangerous.

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5 charged in connection to meth bust; 1 sparked Weds. night manhunt

Submitted by Sarah Crandall, Web Producer

Friday, April 5th, 2013, 8:02am

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Five people face methamphetamine-related charges, according to a spokesperson for the Wilmington Police Department. One of the suspects arrested sparked a lengthy manhunt Wednesday night in the Pine Valley area.

The following are charged as listed below:

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More than 100 cited for DWIs in NHC during "Booze It & Lose It" campaign

Submitted by Sarah Crandall, Web Producer

Thursday, January 17th, 2013, 2:30pm

More than 100 cited for DWIs in NHC during "Booze It & Lose It" campaign

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A total of 2,164 traffic and criminal violations were made recently in New Hanover County, 109 of which were DWI-related.

A news release from an NC Department of Transportation spokesperson revealed that, across the state, 3,147 motorists were cited for driving while impaired during a holiday “Booze It & Lose It” campaign that ran from Dec. 7 to Jan. 2.

Additionally, 110,692 traffic and criminal citations, 6,381 safety belt and 1,134 child passenger safety violations, 364 speeding violations and 3,543 drug charges were issued statewide.

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CHARGED: Man found with 10 lbs. of marijuana

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Thursday, September 6th, 2012, 8:22am

CHARGED: Man found with 10 lbs. of marijuana

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Deputies with the Pender County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man earlier this week.

According to the sheriff’s office, Derric Lejuan Lee, of Wilmington, was arrested Tuesday during a traffic stop when he was found to be in possession of 10 pounds of marijuana.

Lee was charged with trafficking marijuana and is being held in the Pender County Jail in lieu of a $200,000 bond.

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Pair arrested, charged for allegedly trafficking cocaine

Submitted by Sarah Crandall, Web Producer

Thursday, August 30th, 2012, 1:51pm

Pair arrested, charged for allegedly trafficking cocaine

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – A man and woman both face drug charges in connection to trafficking both powder and crack cocaine.

According to a spokesperson for the Wilmington Police Department, local police and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s worked together Wednesday to arrest the two accused drug dealers after they confiscated one-half kilo of cocaine, the street value of which estimated to be at least $30,000.

Wednesday morning, police stopped a car for speeding on Carolina Beach Road near St. Andrews Drive. A K-9 officer was called to assist, and the K-9 indicated that there were illegal drugs in the vehicle.

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Man arrested in connection to death of girlfriend

Submitted by WECT Web Staff

Monday, August 20th, 2012, 7:36pm

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The same man who called 911 to help his dying girlfriend in Wilmington faces criminal charges in connection to her death.

Jeremy Martin Leutgens appeared before a judge via video conference Monday afternoon. The judge asked him if he understood the reason for the charge of involuntary manslaughter.

"No sir, not really," replied Leutgens.

District Attorney Ben David explained his understanding of how 25-year-old Stephanie Chappell Hobson died in July. Leutgens sells the synthetic drug 25i, according to David. He said the man gave his girlfriend two doses of it, then took some himself.

At first, preliminary autopsy results revealed no foul play was involved in Hobson's death, but further investigation suggests otherwise. Analysis of the pills found at the Tesla Park apartment confirmed they are the hallucinogenic drug 25i.

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More than 150 marijuana plants found at home

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer

Wednesday, July 25th, 2012, 11:31am

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – More than 150 marijuana plants were seized from a home on Hawthorne Drive Monday night, according to Sergeant J.J. Brewer with the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office.

Detectives located two separate indoor grow operations, Brewers said, that had the potential value of more than $200,000. Harvested marijuana and packaging materials were also found, along with extensive ventilation and artificial lighting equipment.

Monroe Becker Jr., 56, was charged with two counts of trafficking marijuana, one count of possession with the intent to sell or deliver marijuana, one count of maintaining a dwelling or vehicle for drugs, one count of possession of marijuana, one count of possession of a drug, and one count of manufacturing marijuana.

Becker was being held at the New Hanover County Detention Facility at the time of this post under a $50,000 secured bond.

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