WILMINGTON — United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today United States District James C. Dever sentenced ANTWINE “Big World” LUCAS, 37, of New Hanover County to 188 months’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.  On March 21, 2019, LUCAS pled guilty to Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and distribution of a quantity of heroin.  

LUCAS’ residence on North 5th Street served as a base of operation for members of the Nine Trey Sect of the United Blood Nation in Wilmington, North Carolina.  The home was used to distribute heroin and store firearms.   According to law enforcement, the gang was not only involved in the distribution of heroin, but also acts of violence. 

The FBI used a Title III wiretap on the phone of another member of this organization to assist in the investigation of this gang.

On August 21, 2018, wire intercepts provided law enforcement with information about the potential for acts of violence associated with this gang.  Law enforcement was able to stop a car that had left the area of LUCAS’ residence.  A gang member fled the car and discarded two handguns while being pursued by law enforcement.  That person is awaiting sentencing on federal charges.  Another passenger had a stolen hand gun on his person.

On August 29, 2018, LUCAS sold a quantity of heroin to someone acting at the direction of law enforcement from his residence. 

On August 31, 2018, a federal search warrant was served at the residence.  LUCAS and another high ranking gang member were arrested.  Law enforcement found a handgun and fentanyl during the search of the home and surrounding area.

LUCAS had been released from prison in June 2018.  According to law enforcement, upon returning from prison, LUCAS occupied a position of leadership in the gang.

This case is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  The investigation is focused on members of the Nine Trey sect of the United Blood Nation, a violent gang with members in Wilmington, North Carolina involved in the distribution of heroin, possession of firearms and associated violence.

This case is also part of the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.  This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Street Task Force, the Wilmington Police Department and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Offices.  Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.