NORTH CAROLINA — Following an investigation into narcotics activity in Bladenboro, Elizabethtown, and Clarkton, the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) announced a series of arrests as part of a multi-agency operation.
The operation, dubbed “Operation Thanksgiving Sweep,” took place on Nov. 18. BCSO reported that 15 of 26 targeted suspects were arrested during the roundup. Warrants for more than 80 criminal charges were obtained as part of the effort.
“During this operation, multiple identified subjects were charged with additional controlled substances and firearms-related offenses,” BCSO said. “An additional individual was located with an amount of methamphetamine during the arrest of an identified target and was arrested for this offense.”
Among those arrested were:
- Thomas Ray Hammonds, 58, of Chadbourn — charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance, and felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance.
- Gary Carter, 65, of Elizabethtown — charged with felony possession and sale of a Schedule II controlled substance, and selling within 1,000 feet of a school.
- James Dewey Ezzel, 50, of Clarkton — charged with conspiracy to sell methamphetamine, felony possession, maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances, driving while license revoked, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Dwayne Campbell Jr., 34, of Clarkton — charged with felony possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Rubin Lee Harrelson Jr., 50, of Clarkton (on parole) — charged with conspiracy to sell methamphetamine and parole violation.
- Additional arrests include individuals from Clarkton, Elizabethtown, East Arcadia, Bladenboro, and Tar Heel facing various drug, firearms, and sexual offense charges.
During the operation, authorities seized: one rifle, one pistol reported stolen, 22.1 grams of methamphetamine, 8.5 grams of marijuana, 4 grams of crack cocaine, 14 dosage units of MDMA, and 13 dosage units of Suboxone.
BCSO said the investigation stemmed from months of complaints from concerned citizens. Probation and Parole officers, as well as the U.S. Marshals Service, assisted with the operation.
“The arrest operation is ongoing and the remainder of the wanted subjects will be apprehended,” BCSO said.
