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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:
·
Valdese Town Manager Jeff Morse, Chairman
·
Burke County Sheriff Steve E. Whisenant
·
Burke County Manager Bryan Steen
·
Morganton Department of Public Safety Chief Ronnie Rector
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Morganton City Manager Sally Sandy
·
Drexel Police Chief Craig Treadway
·
Valdese Police Chief Jack Moss
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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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