DEA Investigation in Chapel Hill Area Uncovers Large-Scale Drug Ring justice.gov - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from justice.gov Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
21 arrested in âlarge scale drug ringâ that funneled more than $1.5M worth of drugs through N.C. colleges
21 arrested in âlarge scale drug ringâ that funneled more than $1.5M worth of drugs through N.C. colleges By WBTV Web Staff | December 17, 2020 at 4:23 PM EST - Updated December 18 at 11:50 AM
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WBTV) - Authorities have arrested 21 people who they say were involved in a âlarge scale drug ringâ that funneled more than $1.5 million worth of drugs onto or near college campuses in North Carolina.
These 21 people now face federal charges as a result of a lengthy investigation into the sale of narcotics at these schools.
Updated December 18, 2020 4:30 p.m. EST
By Sarah Krueger, WRAL Durham reporter
Hillsborough, N.C. Federal prosecutors and local law enforcement announced a bust Thursday of a drug trafficking ring that funneled more than a thousand pounds of marijuana, hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and other drugs throughout the campuses of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University and Appalachian State University.
More than $1.5 million in drug sales were made from 2017 to 2020 by the defendants, according to court records.
Matt Martin, U.S. attorney for the middle district of North Carolina, and Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood expressed surprise and dismay at the amount of narcotics being moved on college campuses and the attitude of those involved.
BOONE â Two Appalachian State students are among 21 charged in relation to a drug distribution ring on the campuses of Appalachian State University, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and Duke University, announced the Department of Justice at a Thursday, Dec. 17 press conference.
âThis is a large drug network and supply chain fueling a drug culture at fraternities and within these universities and around these universities and towns,â said Matt Martin, U.S. attorney for the middle district of North Carolina. âThese are 21 hardened drug dealers.â
Martin said the investigation is ongoing. App State spokesperson Megan Hayes said the university is âcooperating fully with law enforcement in this investigation.â