Coordinated Effort Leads to Drug Seizures and Arrests
Alicia Stemper
COORDINATED EFFORT LEADS TO DRUG SEIZURES AND ARRESTS
Hillsborough, NC (October 6, 2023) – The Orange and Durham County Sheriffs’ Offices, working with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), arrested two individuals after executing residential search warrants earlier this week.
The operation began in June when investigators initiated a drug investigation into Craig Everette Whitted, 64, of Hillsborough. They determined Whitted was obtaining narcotics from a residence in the Durham County portion of Rougemont.
On Tuesday, October 3, investigators served search warrants in both counties and seized trafficking amounts of cocaine laced with fentanyl. They also confiscated multiple guns and other items related to the distribution of narcotics.
Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood said, “Obviously, the sale and distribution of illicit drugs goes on across county borders. Multi-agency investigations serve as force-multipliers, allowing us to work what started as an investigation into street-level sales back to a source of supply.”
Related to the residence in Rougemont, authorities arrested George Lewis Mangum, 46, and charged him with trafficking in cocaine, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, and possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver cocaine. He entered the Durham County Detention Center under a $30,000.00 secured bond.
Investigators charged Whitted with two counts of trafficking in opium or heroin; two counts of possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver heroin; maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia. He entered the Orange County Detention Center under a $25,000.00 secured bond.
“Sheriff Blackwood’s investigators and mine work together regularly,” said Durham County Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead. “When asked to assist with this investigation, we were happy to provide any assistance we could. As criminal activity moves back and forth across county lines, law enforcement must do the same. Through partnerships like this with our neighbors in Orange County, we make all our communities safer, better places to live and work.”
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Alicia L. Stemper, Communication Manager
Orange County Sheriff’s Office
106 East Margaret Lane
Hillsborough, NC 27278
