WALLACE — Community tips and what Sheriff Blake Wallace called solid investigative work by the Duplin County Narcotics Division has led to the arrest of a Wilmington man on numerous heroin trafficking charges.

Anthony Jamar James, 25, of Wilmington, was arrested and charged with possession with intent to manufacture/sell/or deliver heroin; maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/or place for a controlled substance; and three felony counts of trafficking opium or heroin.

He was placed under a $1 million bond and given a trial date of April 7.

According to reports, sheriff’s officials received complaints about drug activity in the southern end of Duplin County, which led to the arrest.

The investigation revealed that James had hidden 92 bundles of heroin, with a street value of $1,850, from Mexico in a sock stashed inside his clothing in an attempt to sell the narcotic in the Wallace area of Duplin County. Each bundle had markings that represented the origination of the heroin, or what gang affiliation the heroin was derived from.

“We didn’t have a positive ID on him at first,” said Wallace. “Then we got a solid break in the case and went after Mr. James.”

Wallace said James was coming into the county from Wilmington in an attempt to set up a “client” base in the area.

“He is an admitted gang member, who was coming here to set that up. It just shows you how dangerous these gangs are ... In the 20-plus years that I have worked in law enforcement here, we have never had a heroin problem, and we are not going to start now. We want them to know that we are not going to tolerate it.”

In addition, Wallace praised the effort of the community for getting involved.

“I just encourage folks to continue to show their concern by calling us,” he said. “This arrest is because of that and the efforts of our deputies. I just want to commend them for a job well done.”

According to the North Carolina Department of Corrections, James has a long history of convictions dating back to 2002, and from four different counties — New Hanover, Wake, Polk and Orange.

Those convictions include: possession of stolen goods (April 2002); larceny of a motor vehicle and DWI (March 2002); breaking and entering and larceny (Feb. 2002); possession of a schedule II controlled substance (Jan. 2003); possession of stolen goods and common law robbery (April 2003); possession of a schedule II controlled substance three counts (March 2005); selling a schedule 1 substance three counts (March, April, and May of 2005); and possession with intent to sell and deliver a counterfeit controlled substance (Aug. 2009).

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.