Pubdate: Tue, 16 Nov 2004 Source: Anderson Independent-Mail (SC) Copyright: 2004 Independent Publishing Company, a division of E.W. Scripps Contact: http://www.independentmail.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2256 Author: Charmaine Smith Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) NARCOTICS OFFICER ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGE Affidavit Says Officer Earned $200,000 Protecting Dealer PENDLETON - State agents arrested a 33-year-old Anderson County sheriff's narcotics agent on a charge of trafficking methamphetamine after learning an officer was providing protection to a drug dealer for profit. Matthew Brian Durham of 158 Old Sanders Road in Pendleton was taken into custody at Lowe's on Clemson Boulevard Friday, culminating a joint investigation by the Anderson County sheriff's narcotics division and the State Law Enforcement Division. An affidavit stated that on at least 20 occasions between May and November, an officer told a local methamphetamine dealer who he could sell drugs to and still avoid arrest. Mr. Durham had worked with the Sheriff's Office since June 1995. SLED agents approached a "known methamphetamine dealer" on Friday and the dealer told agents a sheriff's narcotics officer was providing protection. The dealer said the narcotics officer gave the dealer money to buy a pound of methamphetamine in May. Profits from the sale of the drugs were split between the officer and the dealer, the affidavit said. Under the agreement, the officer received $5,000 a week in payment for the protection, earning a total of $200,000, the affidavit said. "The Anderson County Sheriff's Office came to us with this," SLED spokesman Lt. Mike Brown said. Anderson County sheriff's Capt. Dale McCard said narcotics division officers notified their supervisor of possible illegal activity. That information was relayed to the captain and SLED was called. "We won't stand for that type of conduct," Capt. McCard said. When the Anderson Independent-Mail learned of Mr. Durham's arrest on Monday, SLED officials asked the information be withheld until Tuesday due to the concern for officers' safety and the possibility that more arrests would be made in the case. The case will be prosecuted by the state Attorney General's Office. On Monday, Judge G. Thomas Cooper Jr. denied Mr. Durham bond in a hearing held in Columbia. The arrest was made Friday after the drug dealer, who agreed to cooperate with authorities, made a call to an officer and learned where it was safe to sell drugs. The two then agreed to meet at Lowe's to exchange the $5,000 payment. After the arrest on Friday, agents searched Mr. Durham's Pendleton home and found a safe containing $200,000. He was taken to the Greenville County Detention Center and the Richland County Detention Center "for his own safety," Lt. Brown said. Capt. McCard said Tuesday that Mr. Durham worked for the Liberty Police Department and then was hired at the Sheriff's Office as a deputy patrolman. He later was assigned to the narcotics division and advanced to senior investigator. - ---