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The Burke
County Narcotics Task Force was formed in July of 1990 as the result of a
two-year federal grant. The Morganton Department of Public Safety applied
for the grant with the goal to combine narcotics investigators from each
Burke County law enforcement agency under the umbrella of a drug task
force. This approach would enable law enforcement to have a more united
effort in curbing drug problems in Burke County, since all reports
concerning dealers and illegal trafficking would be funneled to only one
agency.
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Illegal guns seized during a
search
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Marijuana seized in Burke
County
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The Task
Force has proven very successful in their existence and has actually been
used as a model unit by other counties wishing to train new narcotics
investigators. Since their inception in 1990 to December, 2011,
approximately $349,221,855.00 worth of illegal drugs has been confiscated
by investigators, and $1,813,312.00 in U.S. currency has been seized. In addition,
303 vehicles and 507 weapons have been seized. The Task Force targets whole
organizations on a federal level to get offenders longer sentences, this in
turn has a larger impact on Burke County communities. The success of this
highly trained unit has resulted in numerous career criminals being taken
off of the streets with long prison stretches.
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Methamphetamine lab in Burke
County
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One pot method used to
manufacture Methamphetamine
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Marijuana located with
assistance from NCSHP helicopters
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The Task Force is governed a Board of Directors consisting of:
·
Burke County Sheriff Steve E. Whisenant
·
Burke County Manager Bryan Steen
·
Drexel Police Chief Craig Treadway
·
Drexel Town Manager Sherry Bradshaw
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In many
instances, the North Carolina Department
of Revenue places an
excise tax, called the “Unauthorized
Substance Tax", on alleged drug dealers. The tax is due by
any individual who possesses an unauthorized substance upon which the tax
has not been paid, as evidenced by a stamp.
Auctions are
held to sell the seized property of those who fail to pay the unauthorized
substance tax.
Seventy-five
percent of the money collected is returned to the local law enforcement
agency whose investigation led to the assessment. The remaining twenty-five
percent of the money collected is credited to the North Carolina General
Fund.
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NC State Bureau of
Investigation and BCNTF personnel dismantle a meth lab
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To make a report concerning illegal
drug activity,
call the Burke County Narcotics
Task Force at (828) 430-4221.
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