SILER CITY, N.C. – On an early fall morning, local law enforcement partnered with North Carolina National Guard’s Counter Drug Support Program and other public safety professionals in Chatham County resulting in the seizure of more than $138,000 in drug cash, six kilos of cocaine, drug paraphernalia and eight arrests.
The success of this drug seizure was due to the teamwork and expertise of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement (OCDE) Task Force. OCDE Task Force was comprised of the Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agents, N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, Chatham County Sheriff’s Department, Siler City Police Department and North Carolina Guardsmen.
The director of the North Carolina National Guard Counter Drug Support Program stated “Our Counterdrug Program is in place to assist federal, state and local law enforcement. Our soldiers and airmen are seasoned professionals with unique skills that are capable of filling gaps in specific operations as identified by our partners. This mission is a perfect example of highly trained law enforcement task force utilizing the skills of our National Guard soldiers and airmen, resulting in a home run for the local community.”
On the day of the take down guardsmen and local law enforcement officials noticed a well cap that was outside of the suspects’ property. When they reached the well cap, they found a cache of drug packaging and trafficking paraphernalia.
The team received confirmation that the operation was underway and within moments an unidentified man came out from the property and walked directly to the well cap placing a large object inside. As the other drug enforcement agents arrived at the property they quickly found over $138,000 in cash buried in the backyard along with six kilograms of cocaine.
According to the Atlanta office of High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, a federal office covering the Carolina’s drug trafficking operations, 6 kilogram of cocaine has an estimated street value of $150,000.00 to $216,000.00.
This mission is the second of two missions linked in an extensive operation. North Carolina National Guard Counterdrug Support Program was able to provide assistance in an earlier mission, providing analysis leading to the additional seizure of over $150,000 in illegal drug cash and vital information shedding light on the operation in Chatham County.
NCNG’s Counter Drug Support Program’s field leader assigned to this Task Force has 10 years experience working with local and federal law enforcement agencies. He was proud that his team’s hard work paid off, stating “It feels great knowing that we helped stop this illegal activity and are able to assist the community leaders.”
North Carolina Guard’s Counter Drug Support Program brings expertise and support to public safety missions and local law enforcement and is a fine example of North Carolina Guard’s versatility and ability to apply skills which are value added for public safety and domestic operations.