WILMINGTON — An alcohol establishment operating without a permit has been shuttered by the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division.
The ALE was investigating an establishment at 1306 S. 16th St. which culminated in a search warrant and multiple criminal charges on Friday, Aug. 23. According to a release, ALE agents, in collaboration with Wilmington Police Department, seized alcohol, money, a firearm, drug paraphernalia and marijuana from the location.
Officers charged alleged operator Lanita Harrington, 37 of Wilmington, with:
- Posses for sale alcoholic beverages without ABC permits
- Sale alcoholic beverages without ABC permits
- Unauthorized possession of spiritous liquor
- Possession of marijuana
- Pssession of drug paraphernalia
- Carrying a concealed firearm
According to the release Tuesday, law enforcement learned of the establishment from community complaints.
“Illegal establishments, such as the one involved here, oftentimes serve as a hub or refuge for additional violent criminal activity,” Chief Donny Williams said in the release. “This case is another example of how strong partnerships with fellow law enforcement agencies benefit our community.”
It’s the second illegal establishment law enforcement has cracked down on this year. Earlier in the spring, ALE, WPD, New Hanover County Sheriff and the DA’s office declared Edge Lounge on 5th Avenue under a nuisance abatement action. This refers to properties that shutter due to continuously presenting “repeated acts which create and constitute a breach of the peace.”
“When I was supervising patrol, we had numerous fight calls there, shots fired calls there in the past, large crowds, things like that would bleed over into the residential area,” Lt. Greg Willett of WPD told Port City Daily at the time. “I would definitely, totally be comfortable saying there’s a significant amount of police specific calls to that establishment.”
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