$16,000 IN DRUG TAXES COLLECTED

Law Enforcement Assists Department Of Revenue

Local law enforcement agents spent Thursday with the state Department
of Revenue, but they weren't being audited.

The officers were helping agents collect more than $10,000 in taxes
owed the state by local drug dealers.

"It's a state law that if someone has more than a certain amount of
controlled substance, it has to be taxed," said Kinston police
Detective Tim Dilday.

Revenue agents didn't have any problems collecting the money, he said.

"We just went along to help them find people," Dilday said. "They are
pretty crafty in getting their money. They look at it as just another
taxpayer who owes the government."

Officers collected $16,000 in cash and property, and arrested several
people for being in possession of a controlled substance.

"If you have a controlled substance you're required to purchase tax
stamps," Dilday said. "If the stamps aren't there or aren't in the
right place you can be charged for that too."