Wilmington man sentenced to 10 years for selling cocaine, heroin

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington man who pleaded guilty in October to distributing drugs will spend ten years in prison.

Lewis Alexander Hines, 26, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base.

In January 2017, agents with the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the WPD gang unit began investigating Hines. A confidential source advised authorities that they could purchase drugs from Hines.

Between January and February, law enforcement had the confidential source buy drugs on four separate occasions.

The source bought 251 bindles of heroin for $1,120, 147 bindles of heroin for $675, 29 grams of cocaine for $1,400 and 14 grams of crack cocaine for $700.

On February 6, 201, law enforcement served a search warrant at Hines’ home. They found  36 grams of crack cocaine, digital scales, one Glock magazine, various rounds of ammunition and empty bindles of heroin.

Hines has prior convictions in North Carolina for discharging a weapon into an occupied property and possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine. He also has a prior federal conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

After serving his sentence, Hines will have five years of supervised release.