MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Just two months into 2018 and the Horry County Narcotics and Vice Unit has seized more than $100,000 in drug money while taking drugs and guns off the streets.
Lt. Jamie Debari, head of the unit, says he’s been in law enforcement for two and a half decades, and never has he seen more drug activity than what’s currently happening in Horry County.
“This is, I believe in my 24 years of policing, the most drugs I have seen in the community,” Debari said. “Lots of marijuana, lots of cocaine, lots of heroin, and we are even seeing meth make a comeback in the area.”
On Feb.14, the unit executed a search warrant on a residence in Loris where they made two arrests, confiscating one handgun, 10 grams of cocaine, and $2,980. The next day, the unit raided a Myrtle Beach home and confiscated one handgun, 14 pounds of marijuana, and $42,009.
Debari said the money obtained in the busts is put into an account that gets pumped directly into the six man unit, specifically for training and equipment to help locate narcotics.
“The people can consent their money over, they can sign it over to us if they want to, which a lot of people will just sign it over to us because they know we are going to seize it anyway,” Debari said.
Debari said their most recent bust in Myrtle Beach was the result of a property manager doing a standard walkthrough. When community members report abnormal activity, the unit can begin investigating, helping put an end to the rampant drug exchange in Horry County.
“You can remain anonymous and leave a message on our phone or you can also send us an email through crime tips,” explained Debari.
