Thursday, November 20, 2008

Drug Trafficking Warrant Served Against Officer Carl Wright

TABOR CITY

Drug trafficking warrants were served on a former law enforcement officer Wednesday, and Columbus County Sheriff Chris Batten said more federal charges are anticipated.

Carl David Wright, 53, of 655 Vinegar Loop Road, according to Batten, was arrested late Wednesday afternoon on family owned property off Walter Todd Road.

The former Tabor City policeman, Batten said, was held at the Columbus County Jail in Whiteville under $1 million bail, with a federal detainer.

Wright was charged with six counts each of trafficking cocaine by possession, transportation and manufacture, Batten said.

Drug enforcement agents from the Sheriff’s Office, Batten said, were joined by the FBI in a four-month investigation prompted by citizen complaints.

“There were community complaints, a lot of activity going on,” Batten said.

Undercover agents made drug buys from Wright on six occasions, Batten said. The buys did not occur at Wright’s home.

Batten said, for now, he will not identify the locations of the drug buys.

Some property was seized by the N.C. Department of Revenue, Batten said, in an effort to help satisfy more than $40,000 in back taxes owed by Wright.

The sheriff said FBI agents seized two vehicles. Wright also owes money to the federal government for back taxes.

“They haven’t said how much the federal taxes are,” Batten said.

No one else was charged Wednesday, but the sheriff said others may be arrested and charged as the investigation continues.

http://www.fayobserver.com

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