Heroin, marijuana, cash seized by deputies

Just days before Christmas two men were arrested in Brunswick County for having the wrong kind of bags in their car.

Courtesy of BCSO

Alex Hamilton

Courtesy of BCSO

Hakeem Jerod Vereen

One hundred and twenty-seven bags of heroin, 20 bags of marijuana and $1,326 cash were confiscated during a vehicle stop. The two men were arrested on Friday, Dec. 21, after deputies with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Vice Narcotics Unit investigated and searched their vehicle.

Hakeem Vereen and Alex Hamilton were both arrested.

“The heroin was concealed in a hidden compartment in the dash of the vehicle,” said Sgt. Del Routh, BCSO spokesman. “As a result of the evidence seized, Hakeem Vereen and Alex Hamilton, who were the driver and passenger of the vehicle, were arrested and charged.”

Vereen, 21, 5287 Marlow Road, Ash, was charged with one count of possession with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver marijuana and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Agents seized 20 bags of marijuana weighing about 21 grams and $70 cash from Vereen.

Alex Hamilton, 19, 1123 Whiteville Road, Shallotte, was charged with one count of possession with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver heroin and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Agents seized 127 bags of heroin and $1,256 cash from Hamilton.

Both were taken to the Brunswick County Detention Center. Vereen was placed under a $5,000 secured bond and Hamilton was placed under a $50,000 secured bond.