The Narcotics Division consists of one (1) Division Commander, Lt. Dennis Wooten. It also is staffed by one (1) Sergeant, one (1) Corporal and two (2) Deputies. The Narcotics Division continues to be committed to targeting and arresting drug and firearm traffickers. Additionally, we are committed to apprehending fugitives wanted by the Nash County Sheriff’s Office.
The Nash County Sheriff’s Office uses a proactive investigative approach in the Narcotics Division to include undercover operations, executing search warrants and compiling historical information on known drug offenders. These methods often lead to federal arrests of members of drug organizations for federal drug and firearm charges.
The Narcotics Division works with the citizens of Nash County through faith-based organizations, schools, businesses and civic groups to assist and educate the residents of Nash County about the dangers of drug use which aids in reducing the demand for illegal narcotics in our county.
The Narcotics Division continues to cooperate with other county departments in addition to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. The Narcotics Division also acts as a point of contact between outside law enforcement agencies and the Nash County Sheriff’s Office for the exchange of narcotics information and training for the Nash County Sheriff’s Office employees. This information is an invaluable asset to promote the safety and effectiveness of all employees.
The Nash County Sheriff’s Office will continue to participate in the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force with the United States Attorney’s Office and other Federal law enforcement agencies. The benefit of this partnership has proven to be an invaluable asset to the Nash County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Nash County. Current investigations include operation Nash-Guard, which concentrates on major drug traffickers in Nash and surrounding counties.
The Nash County Sheriff’s Office continued its participation in "Operation Breakthrough" and "Operation Cold Wind," federal Eastforce drug investigations. These investigations have resulted in the arrests of multiple federal defendants and the seizure of multiple kilograms of cocaine.
The Nash County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division will continue to partner with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to train all Nash County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement officers, emergency service workers, social service workers, public health officials, school nurses, hospital workers, general public and other vital personnel in the clandestine laboratory awareness.
The Nash County Sheriff’s Office has completed all phases of the Nash County respiratory protection program. This includes training all Nash County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement personnel in the use of respiratory masks.
During the month of October, the Nash County Sheriff’s Office spends one (1) week educating students on the dangers of drugs during Red-Ribbon Week.
The Nash County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division participated in "Operation Falcon" which teamed us with members of the United States Marshal Service and other federal, state and local colleagues. This was the largest nationwide round-up ever, focusing on sex offenders and violent gang members. As a result of this investigation, members arrested violent offenders in Nash and surrounding counties.
In the year 2009, the Narcotics Division made a total of 327 arrests of subjects, with a total of 702 charges. During those arrests, the Narcotics Division seized a total of $1,173,805.00 worth of illegal narcotics off the streets of Nash County. They also seized over $63,000 worth of drug money from drug dealers. Below is a list of the total amounts of narcotics seized and each type:
1 gram
As stated before, the Narcotics Division strives to get illegal guns off the streets and out of the hands of criminals in Nash County. In year 2009, the Division seized 54 illegal firearms as a result of their zero tolerance policy on firearms used in crimes.