| 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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| Marijuana packaged for sale
located by BCNTF during a search |
Counterfeit money, marijuana,
and weapon seized during a search |
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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 January, 2005,
approximately $42,672,277.00 worth of illegal drugs has been confiscated by
investigators, and $1,390,738.00 in U.S. currency has been seized. In addition,
269 vehicles and 402 weapons have been seized. 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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| One pound of
crystal meth and weapons located during a search |
Weapons and
marijuana seized during a search |
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| Books
of matches located at a meth lab |
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| The Task Force
is governed a Board of Directors consisting of Sheriff Steve E. Whisenant and
Burke County Manager Bryan Steen; Morganton Department of Public Safety Chief
Mark Tolbert and City Manager Sally Sandy; Valdese Police Chief Jack Moss and
Town Manager Jeff Morse (current chairman); and Drexel Police Chief Mike Swink
and Town Manager Matt Settlemyre. |
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| In 1999, the
McDowell County Sheriff's Office joined forces with the Burke County Narcotics
Task Force. All narcotics investigators have sworn jurisdictional powers in
both counties, thereby strengthening our war against drugs. |
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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. |
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| The Department of Revenue periodically holds
an
auction and sells the property of those
who fail to pay the unauthorized substance tax. |
| Seventy-five percent of the money collected is returned to the
state or local law enforcement agency whose investigation led to the
assessment. The remaining twenty-five percent of the money collected is
credited to the North |
NC
State Bureau of Investigation and BCNTF personnel dismantle a meth lab |
| Carolina
General Fund. |
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| To make a report concerning illegal drug activity, call the
Burke County Narcotics Task Force at (828) 430-4221, or by e-mail at
bcntf@burkesheriff.org. |
