18 arrested, 12 firearms taken in Durham’s anti-violent crime sweep in Braggtown and Glenbrook Drive

Durham police, in partnership with the FBI and DEA, have arrested 18 people and took 12 guns in an operation aimed at reducing violent crime in the city.

The Organized Crime Division led the operation last week, targeting the Braggtown area, the Glenbrook Drive neighborhood, and Cornwallis Road to address the recent surge in violent crimes.

Durham Chief Patrice Andrews says her officers have been addressing residents’ concerns, and this latest bust is proof of their response.

“Crime reduction is a partnership, we need the community to provide us information and then we act upon the information,” Andrews said. 

During the operation, 18 people were arrested for various offenses, including homicide, traffic violations, drug-related activities, and firearm offenses. In addition to the arrests, 12 guns were taken due to weapon violations or illegal possession, as well as a large amount of narcotics.

“Is it a start? It’s always a start because you are sending a message out here to the ones out there doing dirt,” Durham resident said.

2024 data, shows the number of people shot in Durham is up by about 43.8 percent compared to the first six months of 2023. Deadly shootings were up 16% and non-fatal shootings were up 50%.

The drugs taken included:

• Fentanyl: 2.8 grams
• Cocaine: 39.15 grams
• Marijuana: 902.4 grams
• Oxycodone: 1 dosage unit
• MDMA (also known as ecstasy): 87 dosage units

Additionally, $2,135 in cash was taken and 21 traffic stops were made.

The following individuals were arrested and face various charges:

• Torico Edwards, 31: Felony possession of cocaine, resisting, delaying, or obstructing a public officer (RDO)
• Zachari Taylor-Browder, 20: Carrying a concealed gun, RDO
• Tumaini Brown, 25: Trafficking cocaine, trafficking MDMA, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession with intent to sell and deliver (PWISD) marijuana, PWISD cocaine, PWISD MDPV, carrying a concealed gun, drug paraphernalia
• Daronta Webb, 20: Carrying a concealed gun
• Earl Revels, 20: Carrying a concealed gun
• Fuquan Curtis, 25: Carrying a concealed gun
• Alontae Lewis, 23: Carrying a concealed gun
• Monta McDougald, 18: Possession of a stolen firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of marijuana (up to ½ oz), RDO
• Anthony McCullough Jr, 19: Fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, RDO
• Ishmael McFarland, 23: RDO
• Leon Brinley, 50: Driving While impaired (DWI), driving while license revoked (DWLR), speeding, reckless driving – wanton disregard, failing to heed lights or siren
• Zion Tiken Lunsford, 19: Carrying a concealed gun
• Chad Lawrence Allison, 37: Carrying a concealed gun, PWISD schedule II, PWISD schedule VI, maintaining a vehicle, drug paraphernalia
• Herman Wayne Evans, 39: 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: Carrying a concealed gun
• Leila Seid, 28: Fleeing to elude
• Male juvenile, 17: PWISD schedule II, PWISD schedule VI

Additionally, an 18-year-old juvenile was served with a first-degree murder warrant for the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old on Ridgeway Avenue in Oct. 2023.

“We are up in violent crime what our next report will show a downward trend overall in crime,” Andrews said. 

More charges are expected.

Anyone with information about violent criminal activity in the city is encouraged to call CrimeStoppers at (919) 683-1200 or visit durhamcrimestoppers.org.