A high-stakes joint operation involving local and federal authorities culminated Tuesday, April 14, in the arrest of a Wilmington man and the seizure of a massive stockpile of narcotics and weapons.
Carlton James McIntyre Jr., 31, was taken into custody during a coordinated strike that spanned multiple North Carolina counties, marking a significant blow to regional drug trafficking and violent crime networks.
The multi-agency effort—which brought together the Wilmington Police Department, the FBI, the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, and the Leland Police Department—targeted several locations simultaneously.
SWAT teams and investigators executed federal search warrants in Leland and the South 10th Street area of Wilmington. McIntyre, identified by authorities as a member of the Double II Blood Street Gang, was apprehended at a Leland residence without incident.
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The scale of the seizure was substantial, to say the least.
According to investigators, the raids uncovered approximately five kilograms of fentanyl, 900 grams of cocaine, and two firearms. McIntyre now faces state charges for trafficking fentanyl and is being held for a federal probation violation.
This is not McIntyre’s first brush with federal law. In 2021, he was sentenced to four and a half years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin. He was still under active federal supervision at the time of Tuesday’s arrest, with his probation originally slated to run through June 2026.
Beyond the drug charges, the ongoing investigation linked McIntyre to a violent 2021 shooting where roughly 150 rounds were fired. Evidence gathered by authorities allegedly places a firearm in McIntyre’s possession during that event, which would constitute an illegal act for a convicted felon.
“This case reflects the continued strength of our partnerships at the local, state, and federal levels,” said Wilmington Police Chief Ryan Zuidema. “We remain committed to addressing violent crime and drug trafficking in our community through proactive enforcement and collaboration. Those involved in this type of criminal activity will be thoroughly investigated and held accountable.”
The investigation is being prosecuted alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
While the operation was a success, officials noted that the probe remains active and further charges could be coming. McIntyre is currently being held at the New Hanover County Detention Facility without bond.
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