Durham Deputies Arrest Convicted Felon in Major Fentanyl, Cocaine and Firearms Bust in McDougald Terrace

DURHAM, NC – Durham County narcotics deputies arrested a 37-year-old convicted felon during an overnight operation in McDougald Terrace, seizing large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, prescription drugs, and multiple firearms — including a stolen weapon and an illegal conversion device capable of turning a handgun into a fully automatic firearm.

Key Details at a Glance

Suspect: Leland Lamont Shaw, 37, of Durham
Location: Truman Street, McDougald Terrace neighborhood
Date of search warrant: January 22
Agencies involved: Durham County Sheriff’s Office SAC/Narc Unit, State Bureau of Investigation
Bond: None (held without bond)

What Investigators Found

According to the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, deputies from the Special Operations Anti-Crime and Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant late Wednesday night on Truman Street.

Inside the residence, investigators located:

• Fentanyl

• Cocaine

• Marijuana

• Multiple prescription medications

• Several firearms, including:

  • One reported stolen

  • A “switch” conversion device, used to modify a semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic weapon

Authorities said Shaw is a convicted felon and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms.

Charges Filed

Shaw was booked into the Durham County Detention Facility on multiple felony charges, including:

• Trafficking in cocaine

• Trafficking in fentanyl

• Possession of firearm by a felon

• Possession of stolen firearm

• Possession of a weapon of mass destruction (conversion device)

• PWIMSD (multiple controlled substances, including cocaine, MDMA, Schedule I, II and VI)

• Felony possession of marijuana

• Maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for controlled substances

• Possession of drug paraphernalia

• Resisting a public officer

• Possession of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a school

Sheriff’s Statement

“This arrest removes a significant amount of dangerous narcotics and an illegally modified weapon from our streets,” said Sheriff Clarence Birkhead. “Our deputies remain committed to disrupting the flow of fentanyl and illegal firearms to keep the residents of Durham County safe.”

Ongoing Enforcement Efforts

The Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is part of broader efforts to target drug trafficking networks operating in Durham County and prevent the spread of fentanyl, which continues to drive overdose deaths across the region.

About the Durham County Sheriff’s Office

The Durham County Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated Durham County, with nearly 500 employees serving in patrol, investigations, detention operations, courthouse security, animal protection, and civil process service. The agency’s jurisdiction includes rural Durham County, portions of Research Triangle Park, urban areas within the City of Durham, and major corridors including Interstates 85 and 40.