Pubdate: Mon, 13 May 2002 Source: Sun Journal, The (NC) Copyright: 2002 The New Bern Sun Journal Contact: http://www.newbernsunjournal.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1733 Author: Francine Sawyer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) BUST NETS MORE THAN $850,000 Money Trail Starts In Maysville, Ends In Craven County When Craven County Sheriff's narcotics division Sgt. J.W. Heckman was roused out of a sound sleep Sunday morning, he didn't know he would spend most of the day counting half a million bucks. Volunteers with the West of New Bern Fire Department didn't know they would be called upon to crack open a safe. Two brothers now facing charges didn't know the cash they allegedly locked inside a safe tucked away in a rental storage unit would be found by Craven County lawmen. And no one had any idea when the day was done, officers would seize $851,215 in alleged drug money. The money trail began in Maysville around 1:30 a.m. Sunday when Jacksonville Police narcotics officers along with Onslow Sheriff's narcotics officers knocked on the door of Reggie Waldo Canady, 29, of 101 Mattocks Road, Maysville. Armed with a search warrant, officers discovered 12 grams of cocaine and a safe containing $225,225. Brother Charles Canady, 30, of 329 Meadowinds Drive, New Bern, was also at the Maysville house. Heckman said he had $4,000 in cash on him. Heckman said the officers located paperwork at the Maysville house indicating Charles Canady had a rental storage unit in Craven County. With that information from officers in Maysville, Heckman continued the investigation in Craven County. He called Craven County K-9 officer Nathan Beard, who took his dog Duke to the storage bin. Heckman said Duke signaled Beard of the scent of drugs. After obtaining a search warrant, Heckman entered the 10-by-12 foot building and discovered a sheet hanging over a black metal safe. Heckman called the fire department. He said it took firefighters using the Jaws of Life about 20-30 minutes to pry open the safe. By now it was 4 a.m., the safe was open and three suitcases were inside. Heckman opened the suitcases and discovered cash -- "a whole lot of cash," he said. The money was loaded in patrol cars and taken to the Craven County Sheriff's office. Sunday afternoon, Heckman, Craven investigator Lt. Marshall Taylor and two Craven County undercover narcotics officers spent four hours counting the money. They came up with $621,990 hidden away in the storage bin. While no drugs were found, Duke alerted to the apparent scent of drugs on the money hidden deep inside the safe, Heckman said. Heckman notified the Drug Enforcement Administration, and federal agents are en route to seize the money. Heckman said the long hours were worth it. "Craven, Jacksonville and Onslow agencies will split 75 percent of the total amount of the money three ways," he said. Not only the cash, in denominations of $100, $50, $20 and $10, but also a 2001 Yukon sport utility vehicle belonging to Charles Canady was seized. It will not be turned over the federal government. As for the Canady brothers, they are out of the Onslow County Jail after posting $3,000 bonds each for drug violations. The two were charged with felony possession of cocaine. Heckman said this latest cash confiscation is the second largest Craven County lawmen have made. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth