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McDowell County Sheriff recognizes drug enforcement team after large meth seizure
Summary
Sheriff Ricky Buchanan and McDowell County officials publicly recognized members of the McDowell County Drug Enforcement unit for a November 13 operation that county officials said seized a large quantity of methamphetamine and weapons.
Sheriff Ricky Buchanan used the Jan. 13 Board of Commissioners meeting to recognize members of the McDowell County Drug Enforcement unit for what he described as a major narcotics seizure on Nov. 13.
Buchanan told the board the county task force executed a traffic stop and later searched a suspect’s residence in a months-long investigation into methamphetamine distribution. He said officers seized an estimated 50 kilograms of methamphetamine (the transcript states “50 kilograms” and an additional pound seized later at the residence) and approximately 25 firearms. Buchanan described the street value of the seized methamphetamine as “in excess of $3,800,000.”
Buchanan thanked collaborating agencies that assisted in the operation, naming the Marion Police Department, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the DEA, and several county sheriff’s offices and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. He emphasized that undercover and surveillance detectives often do not receive public recognition because of the nature of their work and praised the command staff and unit for disrupting what he called part of an organization involved in distribution.
Recognition and employee award: The sheriff’s office also publicly recognized Rodney Coates (the sheriff identified him as facility maintenance coordinator) as the department’s 2024 employee of the year for facility and detention maintenance projects, including replacement HVAC units and renovation of detention showers and hot water systems.
Board remarks: Commissioners offered a letter of appreciation read at the meeting praising the sheriff’s office’s work to remove dangerous substances from county streets and acknowledging the risks undertaken by officers. Buchanan repeatedly attributed credit to the unit’s men and women and declined some personal credit in favor of recognizing those who worked the operation.
Provenance: The sheriff’s remarks and recognition occur under the appointments agenda item; details of the seizure were described by Sheriff Ricky Buchanan in the transcript during the meeting’s opening portion covering appointments and recognitions.
