By Lindell KayMore than a dozen active-duty military members have been charged with selling drugs on and around Camp Lejeune since September, according to local and federal authorities.
Eight more arrests March 31 - the most recent wave of Operation Shark Attack - came after authorities raided three houses in Pender County, according to information released over the weekend.
Charges in the eight arrests ranged from trafficking cocaine to possession of marijuana, said Surf City Police Chief Mike Halstead.
So far, 182 felony charges have been made against 43 people - 28 civilians and 15 members of the active-duty military. Six arrests for military personnel are still pending. Authorities refused to release the names of the most recent arrestees, citing an ongoing investigation.
Operation Shark Attack was "created to disrupt narcotics distribution in the communities which have a direct affect on Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River," Halstead said.
Shark Attack began in September with the Surf City Police Department, the Holly Ridge Police Department and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service combining forces to conduct controlled drug buys and gather intelligence, said Kevin Marks, a NCIS supervisory special agent.
As t
he operation progressed, the assistance of several other agencies was required, Halstead said.
The operation grew to include participation from the Jacksonville Police Department, the Pender County Sheriff's Department, the National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the North Topsail Beach Police Department, the Wilmington Police Department and the 15th Judicial Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit.
So far authorities have seized:
852.71 grams of marijuana,
265 dosage units of Ecstasy,
121 dosage units of prescription medications,
39 grams of crack cocaine,
and 461.7 grams of powdered cocaine.
Law enforcement estimates the combined street value of the drugs to be $81,516.20.
"This operation is a tremendous example of interagency cooperation," Halstead said. "I cannot brag enough on the teamwork displayed by every agency involved. From the military to federal and local law enforcement, every agency had one singular goal: rid our streets of illicit illegal narcotics that affect military, citizens and children alike. We accomplished much, and we plan to keep it that way."
Eight more arrests March 31 - the most recent wave of Operation Shark Attack - came after authorities raided three houses in Pender County, according to information released over the weekend.
Charges in the eight arrests ranged from trafficking cocaine to possession of marijuana, said Surf City Police Chief Mike Halstead.
So far, 182 felony charges have been made against 43 people - 28 civilians and 15 members of the active-duty military. Six arrests for military personnel are still pending. Authorities refused to release the names of the most recent arrestees, citing an ongoing investigation.
Operation Shark Attack was "created to disrupt narcotics distribution in the communities which have a direct affect on Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River," Halstead said.
Shark Attack began in September with the Surf City Police Department, the Holly Ridge Police Department and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service combining forces to conduct controlled drug buys and gather intelligence, said Kevin Marks, a NCIS supervisory special agent.
As t
he operation progressed, the assistance of several other agencies was required, Halstead said.The operation grew to include participation from the Jacksonville Police Department, the Pender County Sheriff's Department, the National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the North Topsail Beach Police Department, the Wilmington Police Department and the 15th Judicial Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit.
So far authorities have seized:
852.71 grams of marijuana,
265 dosage units of Ecstasy,
121 dosage units of prescription medications,
39 grams of crack cocaine,
and 461.7 grams of powdered cocaine.
Law enforcement estimates the combined street value of the drugs to be $81,516.20.
"This operation is a tremendous example of interagency cooperation," Halstead said. "I cannot brag enough on the teamwork displayed by every agency involved. From the military to federal and local law enforcement, every agency had one singular goal: rid our streets of illicit illegal narcotics that affect military, citizens and children alike. We accomplished much, and we plan to keep it that way."
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