Twelve people have been charged in a large-scale federal narcotics investigation in Onslow County, authorities say.
According to federal investigators, the indictment arises from an investigation into a local drug trafficking enterprise that began in early 2025. Multiple agencies were involved, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Jacksonville Police Department, and the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said the case is tied to a series of search warrants executed on January 15, which resulted in a large law enforcement presence around the county.
According to court documents, the individuals charged are suspected of conspiring to distribute and possess substantial quantities of illegal substances, including more than 1,600 grams of fentanyl and more than 900 grams of methamphetamine, for a total of over five pounds.
During the operation, investigators recovered several firearms, including pistols and handguns.
Jarad Phelps stated that cases like this often take months or years to build, emphasizing the impact such investigations may have on the local community.
All twelve defendants are expected to face charges in federal court. According to authorities, no injuries were reported during the execution of the search warrants.
The investigation is underway.