Three-County Drug Task Force Launches in Southeastern North Carolina
Authorities from Robeson, Bladen, and Columbus counties announced on Wednesday, July 29, the creation of the Border Belt Drug Task Force. This new group, according to an official release, will…
Authorities from Robeson, Bladen, and Columbus counties announced on Wednesday, July 29, the creation of the Border Belt Drug Task Force. This new group, according to an official release, will combat drug trafficking operations across southeastern North Carolina. Three sheriff's offices joined forces with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and district attorneys from both prosecutorial districts.
Robeson county sheriff Burnis Wilkins said the collaboration will let agencies work across jurisdictional boundaries. Criminals use county lines to run trafficking operations. This initiative aims to stop them.
"Drug trafficking does not recognize county lines, and neither should our efforts to stop it," Wilkins said, according to WPDE. "By standing together, sharing intelligence and combining our resources, we are sending a clear message that those who bring poison into our communities will be identified, investigated and held accountable."
SBI Director Chip Hawley said the Border Belt Drug Task Force is the fifth regional partnership his agency has joined statewide. The collaboration brings technology and manpower that some counties lack, which will help smaller departments fight back against organized crime.
"Drug people don't understand county lines. This will eradicate that forever," Hawley said, according to WWAYTV3.
Bladen county sheriff Jim McVicker said modern trafficking networks require coordinated responses. Columbus County Sheriff Bill Rogers said the state partnership will give additional support to departments with limited resources. Smaller agencies now have access to tools they couldn't afford before.
"No single agency can fight today's drug trafficking organizations alone," McVicker said in a statement. "This partnership strengthens our ability to protect our citizens, disrupt criminal networks and improve the quality of life for families throughout our region."
The collaboration will include dedicated prosecutors from both district attorney offices. Robeson county district attorney Matt Scott said his office will assign a prosecutor to work with the team from the start of investigations. This means cases can move faster through the legal system.
Wilkins pointed out that many crimes in his county have drug-related components. Most murders investigated there involved drugs.
The Robeson County Sheriff's Office will serve as the hub location for the operation. It will house agents and equipment. Wilkins said the group launched its first enforcement operation on Wednesday.
Officials said the partnership will let agencies share personnel, intelligence, and equipment while running investigations that cross county boundaries. The three departments worked together on cases before, but the new agreement removes legal barriers that previously existed. Now they can act faster and more efficiently when criminals operate across multiple jurisdictions.