Police seize hundreds of drugs in Carolina Beach bust
CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WECT) – A drug bust in Carolina Beach uncovered several hundred narcotics, two grow operations, multiple bank accounts and online currency.
Police arrested Brandon Howell after a search of his home at 409 Monroe Ave. Unit B turned up various drugs, including more than 850 hits of MDMA, better known as Molly.
Detectives also found more than 70 hits of Mescaline, 14 grams of Molly in a raw crystal/powder form and marijuana. Howell also had grow operations for psilocybin mushrooms and peyote cactus, according to police.
A month-long investigation revealed Howell, and Katherine Lynn Westbrook, of the same address, imported MDMA from China through an online black market. The federal government recently seized a black market-type website known as Silk Road.
The two then resold the imported drugs using the online currency Bitcoin, according to police. Police did not find much money at the time of the bust, but seized a larger amount from multiple bank accounts used to filter profits.
Howell is currently in the New Hanover County Jail under a $100,000 bond. He is charged with the following crimes:
- Trafficking in MDMA
- Maintaining a dwelling for the use/sale of a controlled substance
- 2 counts of manufacture of a schedule 1 controlled substance
- 2 counts of possession with intent to sell and distribute
- Possession of marijuana less than a half ounce
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Misdemeanor child neglect
Westbrook is charged with misdemeanor child abuse. The two were arrested November 22, 2013
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