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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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Compressed 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
located 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
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.
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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.
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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
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NC State Bureau of
Investigation and BCNTF personnel dismantle a
meth lab
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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.
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