Authorities in North Carolina took 13 people into custody on drug-related and other charges following a two-day operation by seven law enforcement agencies. Dubbed “Operation Hammer Time”, the operation seized 15 firearms, 90 grams of cocaine in crack and powder form, more than 2 pounds of marijuana and hundreds of ammunition rounds.
Law enforcement obtained four search warrants for residences in the Happy Hill neighborhood. They seized a number of drugs and firearms there and then executed another search warrant in south Rocky Mount where they found two more handguns and more cocaine. They seized another handgun when they made a traffic stop related to the search warrant.
Among the charges faced by people detained in the operation are simple and felony possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell and distribute marijuana, possession of cocaine, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a felon and probation/parole violations. Both state and local agencies were involved in the operation.
A person who is facing charges related to drug possession or distribution may want to consult an attorney about how to defend against those charges. Drug charges can have serious repercussions throughout a person’s life in addition to an initial sentence of fines or jail time. An attorney may be able to make a number of suggestions depending on the specifics of the situation. For example, in a case like this one, if law enforcement had not obtained the warrants properly, evidence could be excluded. A person might also be offered a plea bargain, which involves pleading guilty to reduced charges and getting a lighter sentence, or a person might agree to enter a treatment program in exchange for reduced charges.
Source WNCT 9, “Firearms, drugs seized in NC’s ‘Operation Hammer Time’“, May 1, 2018
