Windfall Aids Morehead Police

Property Seized In Drug Case Produces $31,000 For Department

MOREHEAD CITY -- Nearly $31,000 from property seized in a 1995 drug case is
helping the Morehead City Police Department to fight crime.

A check for the amount was delivered to the police department this month by
Janice McKenzie Cole, U.S. attorney for the eastern district of North
Carolina.

The funds will give a boost to the department's law enforcement efforts,
said police Maj. Wrenn Johnson.

"We'll use the funds for drug enforcement and community policing efforts,"
she said.

The money came from assets received from the forfeiture of a house seized
during a 1995 drug case handled by Morehead City police.

Authorities seized the home of Timothy Mendoza at 305 N. 22nd St. after
marijuana was found growing there.

Officer Robin Conley was on foot patrol when she found marijuana plants
growing outside the house. A search warrant was obtained as a result of
discovery and in excess of 65 marijuana plants were found at the location,
Johnson said.

"The house was being used to further his drug activities," Johnson said.

The work of Morehead City police resulted in prosecution by the state.
Coinciding with that action, the U.S. Attorney brought civil action to
forfeit that property according to the federal Controlled Substance Act,
said assistant U.S. attorney Steve West.

The house was sold and, following payment owed to the bank, there was money
left over, West said.

"When there is a federal forfeiture and state and local agencies
participate in the investigation, they may share in the proceeds realized
by the forfeiture," West said. "The amount reflects how involved they were."

The maximum amount a local or state agency may receive is 80 percent of the
proceeds, which is the amount Morehead City Police Department received.

The remaining money goes to the federal government.