Tips from residents help lead to Whiteville drug bust, police say

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — A Whiteville man is facing multiple felony drug charges after police say a search of a Ward Street home Tuesday turned up crack cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana and a firearm.

Officers with the Whiteville Police Department’s Criminal/Narcotics Investigation Division executed a search warrant at a house on Ward St. on Sept. 15 following an investigation into suspected illegal drug activity, according to the department.

Police said the investigation was prompted in part by complaints from people in the area.

Investigators said they seized approximately 13.6 grams of crack cocaine, 15.9 grams of marijuana and 1 gram of fentanyl during the search. Police also reported finding drug paraphernalia and a firearm.

Andre Pone, 49, also known as “Goldie,” was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver marijuana; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver fentanyl; and possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance.

Pone is also charged with three counts of manufacturing, selling or delivering a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school and three counts of the same offense within 1,000 feet of a park.

Other charges include possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, manufacture of a Schedule II controlled substance and two counts of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, according to police.

Pone was taken to the Columbus County Detention Center, where police said he received no bond.

Whiteville police said additional narcotics investigations are underway and credited reports from community members with helping investigators develop cases.