COUNTY DRUG LAB MOVING CASES THROUGH SYSTEM

In its first six months of operation, Beaufort County's drug lab already
has made an impact on getting criminal drug cases moved through the system,
solicitor Steve Knight said. The lab is handling new drug cases and a
2-year-old backlog.

"Now we get the reports from next door," Knight said. "We also don't have
to coordinate with the chemist in Columbia, because (Beaufort's chemist)
can walk from her office and testify."

In some cases, Knight said the labs helped prevent drug dealers from
getting a reduced bond and put back on the street because the case will
come before court in weeks rather than years.

Nathaniel Mims of Burton was arrested in May for trafficking crack,
possession of crack and simple possession of marijuana. Mims was convicted
last week in General Sessions Court and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Before the drug lab, Knight said, it would have been impossible to get that
case through the system in less than two years.

Knight said getting cases in court within 120 days is the goal he's
shooting for. He said the drug lab has been crucial in getting cases tried
in that amount of time.

"Before, we might be waiting two years for a drug report from (the State
Law Enforcement Division)," Knight said. "Now, as soon as we can get them
back to court, we can dispose of them."

In September's term of General Sessions Court, Knight said solicitors were
able to clear 23 drug cases, ranging from simple possession to drug
trafficking offenses.

However, Sheriff P.J. Tanner said he'd like to see even quicker action in
the court system. Tanner said the law enforcement end of the equation is up
to speed on the cases.

"We've got hundreds of cases ready to go," Tanner said Thursday afternoon.
"Let's get them in the court and let's get some convictions." Tanner
wouldn't give any specific numbers Thursday, but said the drug lab has
worked through the backlog of cases that came back from the SLED lab in the
spring. He expects to have hard numbers next week.

Tanner said the Sheriff's Office had more than 300 cases at SLED waiting
for lab reports. Since April, the drug lab has worked on getting the
chemical analysis done on the drug evidence in the case.

"I'm not blaming the solicitor's office," Tanner said. "I think they're
overwhelmed with cases."

However, Tanner said even a slight lag can mean a dealer is back on the
street dealing drugs again.

"We end up having to spend more time and manpower on these guys and
investigating them again," Tanner said. "Let's get them in court on the
charges we already have against them."

Tanner said getting sentence can be effective in sending a message, but the
cases have to be moved expeditiously.

"I'd like to see an extra week of court devoted only to drug cases until we
get this backlog cleared," Tanner said.