Update: http://www.the-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061003/NEWS/610030331/1006/news01
Sheriff's office assists with drug investigation
The Davidson County Sheriff's Office joined forces with numerous local, state and federal agencies during an ongoing five-month-long investigation that netted at least five kilograms of cocaine and more than 100 kilograms of marijuana.
Four men, Dennis Eugene Wilkinson, Jose Luis Santillan, Guillermo Corral and Adrian LeMarier, all of El Paso, Texas, were indicted Friday by a federal grand jury in Charlotte. The four men were each charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
The four men allegedly planned to move the drugs from Mexico to establish a hub of operation in Charlotte, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Justice.
If the men are convicted, the United States government will seize all property traceable to the alleged drug operation, including nearly $100,000 that was found inside a car in Gaston County on Sept. 4.
Davidson County Sheriff David Grice said his deputies participated in the investigation, which led to the arrests of the four men.
Thanks for the update. Nice to have my suspicions confirmed.
Sure is convenient (for the cops, that is). Steal $88,000.00, then get them indicted... Whether or not they were actually drug dealers the timing is just too convenient. So-called "asset forfeiture" is an abomination. If the government MUST steal someone's stuff, at least convict that person of an ACTUAL crime FIRST.