PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Courthouse will be getting an influx of alleged drug distributors and possessors next month.
Earlier this week, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office announced 21 arrests in connection with a joint operation with the Drug Enforcement Administration. The year-long investigation, according to a news release, focused on “the trafficking and distribution of narcotics across Chatham County.” All but two of the arrests took place on June 19 — with the other two taken into custody Monday — and all suspects are slated to appear in court on July 22 in Pittsboro.
Suspects taken into custody ranged from ages 16 to 54 and were arrested for possession or sale of marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and Adderall, among others. A full list is included in the police reports on page B5 of this week’s News + Record.
Chatham Sheriff Mike Roberson said the bust could not have happened without tips from citizens.
“These investigations require time, patience, and perseverance as well as the ability to look at the big picture,” Roberson said. “The community helped us identify the individuals, and we used that information to target a larger network of criminal activity. We could not achieve this level of success without residents who are willing to work with law enforcement and share information.”
Capt. Steve Maynor praised the work of the sheriff’s office personnel in conducting the operation, citing their “work(ing) tirelessly over the last year to collect evidence and document criminal activity in order to secure warrants for these individuals.”
A total of 35 warrants were issued as part of the operation, and 15 individuals are facing charges and not yet in custody. Deputies are seeking offenders who allegedly have sold and trafficked cocaine, methampetamine and other controlled substances. Those include Karen Buckner, Jonathan Burke, Sheila Curtis, George Fritts, Ricky Graves, Bobby Jackson, Daniel Moreno, Jesus Rangel-Canela, Javier Salgado, Andre Scotten and Jose Willalta of Siler City; Wesley Bynum, Matthew Cow, Seth Cox, Jared Durizch of Pittsboro; and Jason Woody of Sanford.
The sheriff’s office said wanted individuals “are encouraged” to turn themselves into the Chatham County Detention Center, 627 Renaissance Drive, Pittsboro, and residents can call 919-542-2911 to report whereabouts of suspects or request an officer respond to their location.
Chief Deputy Charles Gardner said in the press release that a community uniting with law enforcement “convey(s) a clear and united message that illegal activity will not be tolerated” in the county.
“Too many lives have been lost to the menace of drugs, and our hearts go out to the victims and their families,” he said. “Those who take part in distributing drugs to our communities must face the consequences.”
Reporter Zachary Horner can be reached at zhorner@chathamnr.com and on Twitter at @ZachHornerCNR.