U.S. CUSTOMS AGENT CALLS NORTH CAROLINA A DISTRIBUTION POINT FOR DRUGS

North Carolina is changing. It is not just a producer of tobacco;
more and more, it's becoming an entry point for illegal drugs. A U.S.
Customs agent spoke to a Rowan group Thursday about the increased
distribution of drugs in and out of North Carolina. Special Agent Joe
Barringer, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, spoke to Allies
for Substance Abuse Prevention at the Rowan County Health Department.

"North Carolina has become a distribution point. It's not just users
anymore; North Carolina is a source state," Barringer said. The drugs
that have been smuggled and distributed in this state range from MDMA
or ecstasy; BC Bud, a potent variety of marijuana; and crystal
methamphetamine, commonly known as ice.

Barringer told of one case where 3,800 pounds of BC Bud were smuggled
from McAllen, Texas, to Siler City.

Another currently pending Greensboro case involves a group of
Vietnamese nationals who attempted to distribute ecstasy pills. In
that case, agents seized about 5,000 pills, some grouped together in
smaller bundles of 200 pills per bag.

Some of the pills were found inside a container in a backpack. No
longer are drug cartels smuggling narcotics just to California, he
said, they are in New York, Atlanta and right here in North Carolina,
and they are using a variety of methods.

Hiding places for drug money or drugs include speaker boxes, a common
place, Barringer said, and furniture, pottery and the interior of
vehicles. Agents have seized drugs as well as money from the console
of cars, where the airbags should be; from the hollowed insides of
flatbed trucks; and the walls of houses.

"A couple of years ago, we seized $100,000 in an engine block," Barringer said.

The common misconception is that the problem begins with meth labs,
Barringer said.

He said the amount of meth generated in labs is very small. "A
40-hour process of meth could produce a cup full of meth," he said,
pointing to a 16- ounce cup.

The price of drugs ranges, based on the area and the product, Barringer said.

Typically, compressed powder meth could sell for $5,000 to $7,500,
while pure crystal meth would probably sell for no less than $10,000.
In this area, a kilo of meth could cost about $20,000, while a pound
of meth would go for $10,000-$14,000, he said.

He said large amounts of drugs have been sold at businesses used as
fronts, including nail salons, used car dealerships and coffee shops.
"There are some illegal immigrants whose sole purpose for being here
is to sell as much drugs as possible and make a lot of money before
being caught," Barringer said.

A concern from some in the group -- which included substance abuse
counselors and law enforcement officials -- is the sentencing
received by drug smugglers.

Barringer said the courts base the time a person will serve on a set
scale. Depending on the offense and subsequent offenses, someone who
is caught smuggling drugs into the U.S. could serve 11 to 15 years or
more. Awareness is the key, said Agent W.T. Belvin of Alcohol,
Beverage Control. The community can help law enforcement with being
conscious of what's going on, he said.

"The more people know about the trends, the better," Belvin said.
Barringer agreed, urging people to call authorities if they see
something out of place.

Brian Stallings of the Salisbury Police Department said people are
afraid to call law enforcement.

"They should call with any information, no matter how trivial they
think it may be," Stallings said.

He said people fail to report suspicious activity because they're
afraid of retaliation.

Callers don't have to fear, Stallings said, because the calls can be
kept anonymous.

"It's good to utilize the community as the eyes and ears for the
police department," he said.

Stallings said local law enforcement agencies work together on drug
cases, something Barringer encouraged.

Helen Leak, community relations manager with Piedmont Behavorial
Healthcare, encourages parents to keep the lines of communication
open with children.

"Parents need to talk to their kids and listen to them," she said.
Karen Peck Harris, a counselor with Rowan-Salisbury schools, also
encourages children to talk with parents about drugs and its affects.
The Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention focuses on prevention and
education, said Chairman Mike Jones.

Each month the group has speakers, including ministers, social
services and law enforcement.