Pubdate: Fri, 20 Sep 2002
Source: Beaufort Gazette, The (SC)
Copyright: 2002 The Beaufort Gazette
Contact:  http://www.beaufortgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1806
Author: Chris Bender, Gazette staff writer

COUNTY DRUG LAB MOVING CASES THROUGH SYSTEM

In its first six months of operation, Beaufort County's drug lab already 
has made an impact on getting criminal drug cases moved through the system, 
solicitor Steve Knight said. The lab is handling new drug cases and a 
2-year-old backlog.

"Now we get the reports from next door," Knight said. "We also don't have 
to coordinate with the chemist in Columbia, because (Beaufort's chemist) 
can walk from her office and testify."

In some cases, Knight said the labs helped prevent drug dealers from 
getting a reduced bond and put back on the street because the case will 
come before court in weeks rather than years.

Nathaniel Mims of Burton was arrested in May for trafficking crack, 
possession of crack and simple possession of marijuana. Mims was convicted 
last week in General Sessions Court and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Before the drug lab, Knight said, it would have been impossible to get that 
case through the system in less than two years.

Knight said getting cases in court within 120 days is the goal he's 
shooting for. He said the drug lab has been crucial in getting cases tried 
in that amount of time.

"Before, we might be waiting two years for a drug report from (the State 
Law Enforcement Division)," Knight said. "Now, as soon as we can get them 
back to court, we can dispose of them."

In September's term of General Sessions Court, Knight said solicitors were 
able to clear 23 drug cases, ranging from simple possession to drug 
trafficking offenses.

However, Sheriff P.J. Tanner said he'd like to see even quicker action in 
the court system. Tanner said the law enforcement end of the equation is up 
to speed on the cases.

"We've got hundreds of cases ready to go," Tanner said Thursday afternoon. 
"Let's get them in the court and let's get some convictions." Tanner 
wouldn't give any specific numbers Thursday, but said the drug lab has 
worked through the backlog of cases that came back from the SLED lab in the 
spring. He expects to have hard numbers next week.

Tanner said the Sheriff's Office had more than 300 cases at SLED waiting 
for lab reports. Since April, the drug lab has worked on getting the 
chemical analysis done on the drug evidence in the case.

"I'm not blaming the solicitor's office," Tanner said. "I think they're 
overwhelmed with cases."

However, Tanner said even a slight lag can mean a dealer is back on the 
street dealing drugs again.

"We end up having to spend more time and manpower on these guys and 
investigating them again," Tanner said. "Let's get them in court on the 
charges we already have against them."

Tanner said getting sentence can be effective in sending a message, but the 
cases have to be moved expeditiously.

"I'd like to see an extra week of court devoted only to drug cases until we 
get this backlog cleared," Tanner said.
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