18 arrests made in crackdown on ‘surge’ of violent crime in North Carolina city; 12 guns, various drugs seized as FBI, DEA assist police

DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — Police in Durham Monday announced an operation targeting violent crime last week led to nearly 20 arrests, several drug seizures, 21 traffic stops and the confiscation of a dozen guns.

The crackdown involved the FBI and DEA and was focused on “the recent surge in violent crime in different areas of the city,” a Durham Police Department news release said.

Officials said areas of Braggtown, the Glenbrook Drive neighborhood, and Cornwallis Road were targeted in the crackdown on recent crimes that included a killing, drug activity, and gun-related incidents.

Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews said those locations were picked due to summer crime such as shootings or an increase in property crime leading to incidents of violent crime. She said patrol input on areas and complaints from citizens also played a role.

“Our community members have really started coming forward,” Andrews said.

Andrews said the operation should send a message to community members and to people committing crimes that the department is focused on reducing violent crime.

Police said $2,135 in cash and “a substantial quantity of various narcotics were confiscated.”

Officers released 12 photos of guns, cash and drugs that were seized.

The news release said the drugs seized included:

• Fentanyl: 2.8 grams
• Cocaine: 39.15 grams
• Marijuana: 902.4 grams
• Oxycodone: 1 dosage unit
• MDMA: 87 dosage units

Police said those who were arrested and their respective charges are below:

• Torico Edwards, 31: Charged with felony possession of cocaine, resisting, delaying, or obstructing a public officer (RDO)
• Zachari Taylor-Browder, 20: Charged with carrying a concealed gun, RDO
• Tumaini Brown, 25: Charged with trafficking cocaine, trafficking MDMA, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession with intent to sell and deliver (PWISD) marijuana, PWISD cocaine, PWISD MDPV, carry concealed gun, drug paraphernalia
• Daronta Webb, 20: Charged with carrying a concealed gun
• Earl Revels, 20: Charged with carrying a concealed gun
• Fuquan Curtis 25: Charged with carrying a concealed gun
• Alontae Lewis, 23: Charged with carrying a concealed gun
• Monta McDougald, 18: Charged with possession of stolen firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of marijuana (up to ½ oz), and resisting, delaying, or obstructing a public officer (RDO)
• Anthony McCullough Jr, 19: Charged with fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, RDO
• Ishmael McFarland, 23: Charged with resisting, delaying, or obstructing a public officer (RDO)
• Leon Brinley, 50: Order for Arrest: Driving while impaired (DWI), Driving while license revoked (DWLR), speeding, reckless driving – wanton disregard, failing to heed for lights or siren
• Zion Tiken Lunsford, 19: Charged with carrying a concealed gun
• Chad Lawrence Allison, 37: Charged with carrying a concealed gun, PWISD Schedule II, PWISD Schedule VI, maintaining a vehicle, drug paraphernalia
• Herman Wayne Evans, 39: Charged with PWISD Schedule I within 1,000 feet of a park, PWISD Schedule II within 1,000 feet of a park, possession of Schedule II, possession of Schedule VI, drug paraphernalia
• Daquan Hayes, 30: Charged with carrying a concealed gun
• Leila Seid, 28: Charged with fleeing to elude
• JUVENILE male, 17: Charged with PWISD Schedule II, PWISD Schedule VI

Also, police said an 18-year-old man was served with a first-degree murder warrant in the deadly shooting of a 17-year-old boy that occurred on Ridgeway Avenue in October 2023. He was a juvenile at the time of the homicide, so his name will not be released.

Andrews said one incident like that is far too much.

“We have individuals out here, whether their children, juveniles or adults that lose zero sleep in taking a life and feel emboldened and empowered to roam the streets like they’ve done absolutely nothing to cause harm,” Andrews said.

The operation is the same kind Durham police did last month.

CBS 17 asked Chief Andrews if the department is looking to do more of these operations.

“Bet your money that there will be another operation. and really, it does depend on where the crime sends us,” Andrews said. “So, you know, just putting those folks on notice that we might not get you tomorrow, we may not have gotten you with this last operation, but we’re going to get you.”

More charges are pending in the latest drug and gun bust by the Durham Police Department.

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