Drug effort nets 14 arrests here
By COBY LaRUE
Staff
Sheriff David Edwards announced last week that his department
finished up an undercover operation that spanned nearly his entire
term in office and netted 14 people facing 41 charges.
"This was one of my main priorities when I was elected," said
Edwards. "This investigation started soon after my team was put in
place."
Arrests were made of 11 of the subjects on Jan. 10, Edwards said.
Three others are still being sought for criminal warrants. Working on
the investigation was narcotics Det. Steve Carrier and making the
arrests were seven Alleghany deputies.
"These arrests were from undercover drug purchases where several
different agencies assisted our office," Edwards said. "Officers
purchased several types of drugs, from cocaine to narcotic
prescription medications."
Edwards said the arrests are only the beginning. "This investigation
is only one of many that my deputies and I are working on," he
said. "I am confident that we will continue to succeed in arresting
those who sell and buy illegal drugs. This is just the tip of the
iceberg."
While counties like Alleghany are not seen as having drugs like
larger cities, Edwards said, "Alleghany is no different from any
other county when dealing with illegal narcotics. The drug problem is
supply and demand anywhere you go. In my opinion, our problem is not
as large scale as places with more population, but we do have a
problem."
Among departments working on the arrests are the N.C. State Bureau of
Investigation, Boone Police Department, Ashe County Sheriff's
Office, Wilkes County Sheriff's Office and Surry County Sheriff's
Office.
In closing, Edwards said, "I'd like to thank my officers for their
hard work and dedication. I'd also like anyone who is selling or
buying drugs in Alleghany County to know—hopefully, we'll be
knocking on your door soon."
Edwards said the citizens of the county are a key link in the battle
against drugs. "We've raided a lot of houses after getting tips
from concerned citizens," he said. "We'll continue work
ridding our county of illegal drugs and those who sell and use them."
Charges
The following were among those charged as part of the investigation:
Sharon Renee Bare, 35, of Glade Valley, was charged with
possession with intent to sell and deliver 1.8 grams of cocaine and
selling said cocaine to an undercover officer on Nov. 2, 2006. Bare
is scheduled to appear in court March 11.
Brandon K. Heacock, 21, of Sparta, was charged with possession
with intent to sell and deliver quarter bags of marijuana on June 29,
2007, July 5, 2007, and twice on July 6, 2007. He was also charged
with selling said marijuana to undercover officers. Heacock was
placed under a $7,500 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in
court March 11.
Jose Guadalupe Resendiz Caciano, 22, of Glade Valley, was
charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver 1.3 grams of
cocaine. He was also charged with selling and delivering cocaine to
an undercover officer on Jan. 24, 2007. Caciano was placed under a
$3,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court March 11.
Richard Edwin Hash, 23, of Sparta, was charged with possessing a
quarter ounce of marijuana and selling it to an undercover officer on
Sept. 18, 2007. In addition, Hash was charged with obtaining property
under false pretenses on Oct. 5, 2007 after allegedly obtaining $400
from an undercover officer to buy controlled substances. He allegedly
did not buy the controlled substances or return the money to the
officer. For the charges, Hash was placed under a $5,000 secured bond
and is scheduled to appear in court March 11. He was charged
separately with possession of less than one-half ounce of marijuana
on Dec. 11, 2007 and is to appear in court on April 8 on that count.
On Jan. 8, Mr. Hash was charged with assault on a female and a
domestic violence order violation. He is charged with assaulting
Taylor Hash and violating a protective order issued July 24, 2007 by
Judge Mitch McLean. On those charges, he is set to appear in court on
Feb. 12.
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