Wilmington man arrested in Leland drug bust, cocaine and fentanyl seized

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington man is in custody following a multi-agency operation that resulted in the seizure of large amounts of drugs and firearms.

According to the Wilmington Police Department, officers worked alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, and Leland Police Department to serve multiple federal search warrants and a state arrest warrant Tuesday as part of an ongoing investigation into narcotics trafficking and violent crime.

Authorities say 31-year-old Carlton James McIntyre Jr. was taken into custody at a Leland address without incident.

Search warrants were carried out at multiple locations, including a residence in the South 10th Street area of Wilmington and another location in Leland.

Investigators say they seized around five kilograms of fentanyl, approximately 900 grams of cocaine, and two firearms.

McIntyre, who authorities identify as a member of the Double II Blood Street Gang, is facing multiple charges, including trafficking fentanyl and a federal probation violation.

Officials say McIntyre was previously sentenced in 2021 in the Eastern District of North Carolina to four and a half years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and possession with intent to distribute heroin.

At the time of his arrest, authorities say McIntyre was on federal probation, with supervision scheduled through June 2026.

During the investigation, officials say evidence was uncovered linking McIntyre to a shooting about two years ago in which approximately 150 rounds were fired. Investigators also say he was in possession of a firearm during that incident, which is illegal for a convicted felon.

The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.

McIntyre is being held without bond at the New Hanover County Detention Facility.