Pubdate: Sat, 09 Aug 2008 Source: Sampson Independent, The (NC) Copyright: 2008, The Sampson Independent Contact: http://www.clintonnc.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1704 Author: Chris Berendt Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids) HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN DRUGS SEIZED IN 2008 Local sheriff's authorities have seized more than half a million dollars worth of marijuana and cocaine in 200 drug investigations and two undercover campaigns this year, as well as made a whopping 53 methamphetamine-related responses netting nine labs and numerous meth dump sites. There have been 226 cases opened by the Sampson County Sheriff's Special Investigative Division in 2008, and nearly 160 of them - about 70 percent - have been closed by arrests, according to a 2008 activity report compiled by the division's commander and provided to The Independent. According to the report, there have been 120 arrests made in cases relating to marijuana (52), cocaine (37), methamphetamine (30) and heroin (1). Other arrests have come as a result of various traffic violations, possession and distribution of prescription drugs and other crimes. In all, there has been approximately $268,000 worth of cocaine, $242,460 in marijuana, $18,105 in meth, $600 in heroin and 148 various prescription pills seized by SID agents, according to the 2008 report (see sidebar for amounts seized). Two campaigns have been launched and are currently under way, and may further boost numbers, sheriff's officials said. "Operation Crack-Pot Garland," a campaign launched last year, has resulted in more than a dozen arrests on Garland residents and in excess of 120 felony charges encompassing possession, manufacture and sales of marijuana, heroin, cocaine and meth after warrants were served early this year. In 2008, SID has seen four cases adopted by federal authorities, sent 15 more to cold case files and closed 20 with unfounded information. The SID commander noted the intensive investigation by agents, with more than 42 undercover and informant operations conducted, and 840 hours of surveillance. SID relies heavily on information from residents, which is then checked out, the commander said. Sheriff Jimmy Thornton has frequently encouraged anyone who detects anything suspicious in their neighborhood to report it. If deputies find there is something to the complaint, SID steps in. Searches conducted by SID for possible illegal activity have been plentiful, including searches of 57 homes, 80 vehicles and 91 people. In addition, there have been 29 search warrants executed by agents, as well as 34 "knock and talk" investigations. The numbers are dictated heavily by information provided through anonymous tips and the general public, the SID commander said. This year, methamphetamine cases investigated by SID have been more prevalent than others, often consuming days at a time due to the nature of the investigation needed. SID authorities have made 53 clandestine lab (meth and marijuana) responses in 2008, resulting in the discovery of eight confirmed meth labs and an additional marijuana operation. The bulk of the responses have netted meth "dump sites," used to describe an abandoned meth lab or an area where byproducts, remains and trash created during the production of the drug are discarded. Law enforcement officials said the sites are hazardous, and can be as dangerous as an active meth lab. Once a meth lab or dump site is found, the number of impending man-hours required to secure and dismantle the labs can be daunting, according to Thornton. It takes anywhere from 12 to 72 hours, and the mandate that four deputies be present, to have a lab successfully dismantled, with state authorities and hazardous materials teams also called to respond. The requirement that four deputies be present can often tie up one investigation for several days, the SID commander said previously. That four deputies matches the number of total agents, on average, that have worked at any given time this year. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin