NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Hundreds of people were cited in New Hanover and Brunswick Counties last week as a result of the State Highway Patrol’s Operation Bearclaw.  Patrols were in full force starting April 9 through April 15. 

Nearly 120 people were cited for driving while impaired and 137 were charged for reckless driving.

Dozens of people were cited for other violations, including underage consumption, drug paraphernalia, not wearing a seatbelt and other driver violations.

Here’s the total breakdown from the State Highway Patrol:

• Driving While Impaired: 119
• Drive after consuming <21: 9
• Other Implied Consent Violations: 11
• Drug Violations: 3
• Drug Paraphernalia Violations: 3
• Reckless Driving Violations: 137
• Seat Belt Violations: 29
• Child Restraint Violations: 4
• Improper Passing Violations: 1
• Stop Sign Violations: 5
• Equipment Violations: 36
• Left of Center Violations: 10
• Driver Violations: 96
• Registration Violations: 52
• Yield Violations: 6
• Other Violations: 44

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WECT) – Officers in Carolina Beach are looking for two men accused of trafficking LSD and housing a mushroom growing operation.

According to the police department, officers went to a home on Raleigh Avenue April 7 to respond to a “call for service.”  While they were there, a vice/narcotics officer executed a search warrant of the property.

Officers found and seized liquid LSD, LSD blotter paper, a Psilocybin mushroom growing operation, suspected Psilocybin mushroom chocolates and drug paraphernalia.

Police have arrest warrants out for Ryan Kenneth Smith and Michael Joseph Delaney for trafficking LSD; felony conspiracy; manufacture of schedule I; possession with intent to manufacture; sell and deliver; maintaining a dwelling for the use/sale of a controlled substance; possession of schedule II; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Smith or Delaney are asked to contact the Carolina Beach Police Department at (910) 458-2540 or their tip line at (910) 458-1246.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Deputies with the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office arrested a group of thieves for breaking and entering and larceny Tuesday.

According to Sgt. JJ Brewer, the owner of a vacant home on Carolina Beach Road stopped by the residence because he noticed a vehicle at the house. When he stopped, the owner noticed metal and copper were missing from the home and saw four men leaving.

The homeowner told authorities three of the men left in a vehicle and one ran away to a wooded area. Deputies quickly arrived and were able to arrested 24-year-old William Daniel Watkins who was hiding in the woods, according to Brewer.

Brewer said more deputies responded and noticed a vehicle matching the description provided in Snows Cut Park. They made contact with the driver and arrested Timothy Edward Watkins, 22.