Recent Drug Bust is One of North Carolina's Largest

EDEN, N.C. --

A drug investigation earlier this year that covered several states and Mexico and culminated with the seizure of more than $1.3 million in cash, two tractor-trailers, 21 cars and trucks and eight guns is one of North Carolina's largest and most successful ever, Eden Police Chief Gary Benthin said.

Officers from Eden made two trips to Texas to assist federal agents in intercepting two trucks loaded with drugs.

Among the items seized were a tractor-trailer that was intercepted and discovered to have a hidden compartment full of cash headed for Mexico.

In addition, warehouses used in the transportation of drugs were identified during the investigation after undercover officers posing as drug dealers were able to infiltrate the operation, Benthin said.

Benthin said the investigation, which began in March 2007 and ended in July 2008, began in Eden but spread to Virginia, Texas, California, Georgia and Mexico and included several agencies, including the SBI, federal agencies and several county and local agencies.

By law, the Eden Police Department was able to keep $468,000 of the seized assets.

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