New Hanover Deputies make arrest in heroin investigation

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County deputies say a three-week investigation that led to the discovery of more than $20,000 worth of heroin. WWAY was the only Wilmington media outlet on the scene of yesterday’s traffic stop that led to the arrest of 41-year-old Lonnie Stevenson of Cary.

Undercover officers found the heroin in Stevenson’s car. The investigation led them to a Wilmington home where they found more heroin.

Investigators say this arrest is a big one, and they’re glad they made it.

“It’s significant any time you take one bag off the street. That may be the one bag that kills somebody, or that might be the one bag that hooks somebody on this junk,” Capt. David Ciamillo said. “But when you get 1,000 bags, that’s significant, and you’re talking about moving a large quantity off the street.”

In all investigators found more than 14 grams of uncut heroin as well as drug paraphernalia.