“I commend the task force which includes the Roanoke Rapids and Weldon police departments on a job well done,” Tripp said today. “The stats prove we have increased since inception in 2015 and we anticipate even more of an increase for 2017.”
During 2016 the task force has arrested 343 offenders which included 965 charges being obtained.
Due to the support of citizens and continued investigation by agents, 65 search warrants were executed. The chart posted above shows the complete 2016 stats.
Working along with the federal agencies which include the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Department of Homeland Security, United States Marshal Service, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, agents have worked approximately 230 federal hours.
Due to citizen complaints and other intelligence reports submitted by deputies and officers, 272 cases were opened and 217 were cleared by arrest.
The task force conducted several saturated patrols, traffic checking stations, buy bust operations, several undercover campaigns, I-95 interdiction, medicine drops, and locating wanted persons on outstanding governor’s warrants and federal indictments.
The City County Drug Task Force was formed in January 2015 and consists of seven agents from the sheriff’s office and Roanoke Rapids and Weldon police departments. “The law enforcement agencies working together will continue to fight the drug problems in Halifax County,” Tripp said.
Agents of the task force encourage citizens to call Halifax County Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 to report any drug activity in the community or log onto the sheriff’s office website to submit a tip.