Opiates, marijuana and a firearm were seized when county vice-narcotics officers arrested a man Monday.
Anthony Lee “Bootsie” Vereen, 49, was held under no bond, charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, maintaining a vehicle for drug activities, possession of drugs in a detention center, three counts trafficking opiates, resisting an officer, and possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver oxycodone, alprazolam, and marijuana. He was also charged with failure to appear. Vereen had several addresses in court documents, the most recent being Moss Lane and Crepe Myrtle Lane, both in Whiteville.
Citing Vereen’s 20-plus year criminal history – including having bond revoked for failure to appear– a magistrate and a district court judge ordered him held without bond.
The sheriff’s office reported that detectives received multiple complaints about suspected drug activity in North Whiteville, and initiated an investigation. Vereen was identified as a potential suspect in the sale and distribution of opiates and illegal narcotics.
Detectives identified his Chevrolet Tahoe and initiated a traffic stop after confirming that he was wanted for failure to appear. The press release said Vereebn resisted and was detained by deputies, who found quantities of narcotics and marijuana in the SUV during the search. They also recovered a Smith and Wesson handgun that Vereen allegedly had concealed on his person.
While Vereen was being processed at the detention center, warrants show deputies found more oxycodone.
Sheriff Bill Rogers said the operation was part of continuing efforts to “dismantle criminal enterprises that fuel the flow of illegal drugs into Columbus County.” The investigation is continuing.
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