Drug bust lands Wilmington man in jail, $125,000 in drugs seized

A big drug bust has landed a Wilmington man behind bars. After a two month investigation, deputies seized more than $125,000 worth of drugs and paraphernalia.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested 32-year-old Charles Rudolph Clay III on Friday. They said Clay was a major dealer. When he was picked up, he was found with cocaine, crack cocaine, and a 22-calibur handgun.

New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon said the arrest is a step in the right direction to getting the streets clean.

“The fact that he lived here means he was in our community, he was a citizen with us, and typically if you’re dealing drugs that’s not the only crime that you’re doing,” said Sheriff McMahon. “Its always better for us to get them when they live here with us and that’s somebody we don’t have to worry about anymore.”

Clay was on a 2-year probation for drug trafficking at the time of his arrest. He is now being held on a $1 million bond.

Deputies believe Clay was the ringleader of this drug operation. They think he had people working for him so they are hoping to make more arrests in the coming weeks.