Multiple Search Warrants Net Guns, Money and Over 100 Grams of Fentanyl
On October 21st, 2026, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit and Street Crimes Unit executed two search warrants in the Aurora area and assisted the Craven County Sheriff’s Office with a search warrant in Craven County. These search warrants were intended to target fentanyl dealers in Beaufort and Craven Counties.
With assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Craven County Sheriff’s Office and Beaufort County Emergency Management a major pipeline of fentanyl distribution has been disrupted in Beaufort and Craven counties.
As a result, Deputies seized 104 grams of fentanyl, $4,943 in US currency and eight firearms. One of the firearms seized was determined to be stolen out of Craven County.
The following individuals were arrested:
41-year-old Thomas Monroe Gaynor of New Bern, NC was held in the Beaufort County Detention Center under No Bond for the following charges:
(2) counts of Trafficking in Fentanyl
(1) count of Felony Maintaining a Vehicle to Sell Controlled Substances
(1) count of Possess a Firearm by Convicted Felon
52-year-old Charles Donell Williams of Aurora, NC was held in the Beaufort County Detention Center under a $55,000 secured Bond for the following charges:
(2) counts of Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Fentanyl
(1) count of Felony Maintaining a Vehicle to Sell Controlled Substances
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Centers for Dieses Control (CDC), 2 milligrams of fentanyl is considered to be a lethal dose. This seizure by Deputies is enough fentanyl to potentially kill over 50,000 people.
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to work to identify and address the problems created by dangerous illegal drugs being sold in Beaufort County. Sheriff Hammonds continues to work with his staff, surrounding law enforcement agencies, and public partners to reduce the effects of deadly fentanyl in Beaufort County through aggressive enforcement, public awareness, and education.
Sheriff Scott Hammonds encourages anyone with information regarding suspected drug sale/use or any other crime to contact the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office at (252) 946-7111. You can also submit tips anonymously by contacting Beaufort County Crime Stoppers at (252) 974-6400 or by submitting your confidential tip through the P3Tips App or the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office App and selecting Submit A Tip.