Three New Hanover County men arrested in huge marijuana bust

December 21, 2016

WWAY News,

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) – Investigators have arrested three men accused of selling large quantities of high grade marijuana in the area. During the investigation Detectives arrested Eric Tyler Bunting, Keith Bryan Whitworth and Paul Robert Jones for possession and distributing marijuana.

Keith Bryan Whitworth

The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office says Whitworth was arrested in Carolina Beach with 10 pounds of marijuana on him. As a result, detectives searched his and Jones’s home on Indian Wells Way.

Detectives seized around 8 pounds of marijuana from the home and 28 grams of an opiate based narcotic from Jones’s safety deposit box.

Investigators believe Jones and Whitworth are responsible for the influx of hundreds of pounds of marijuana into New Hanover County.

In all, detectives seized more than 37 pounds of marijuana from Eric Tyler Bunting and more than 17 pounds of marijuana from Whitworth and Jones.

Detectives say both Jones and Whitworth have strong ties to Chico, California where an investigation continues.

Paul Robert Jones (Photo: NHSO)

Bunting, 26, is in jail with a $20,000 bond. He is charged with 5 counts of trafficking marijuana, three counts of possession with intent to sell marijuana, three counts of felony possession of marijuana, manufacturing marijuana, three counts of maintaining a dwelling to store marijuana.

Whitworth, 57, is in jail under a $100,000 bond. He is charged with 5 counts of trafficking marijuana, 2 counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, 2 counts of felony possession of marijuana, 2 counts of manufacturing marijuana and 2 counts of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for the keeping of narcotics.

Jones, 55, is in jail under a $500,000 bond. He is charged with 2 counts of trafficking marijuana, 2 counts of trafficking opium or heroin, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, manufacture marijuana, felony possession of marijuana, 2 counts of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for the keeping of narcotics and 2 counts of possession of a schedule II narcotic.