Sheriff: Four fugitives arrested and drugs, mostly marijuana, seized in ... - Spartanburg Herald Journal

Sheriff Chuck Wright called the annual law enforcement operation a success during a news conference Friday morning.

Along with drugs, primarily marijuana, Wright said they confiscated financial transaction cards – including dozens of credit cards – that could have potentially cost victims into the thousands, perhaps millions, of dollars. He said many have been victimized by that crime, having their entire banking and savings accounts wiped out.

Almost 90 officers from 21 law enforcement agencies participated. Officers patrolled Interstates 85 and 26. Drivers accused of various traffic violations – everything from speeding, to improper lane changes, to reckless driving were stopped and 171 vehicles searched, netting the illegal finds.

In addition to traffic patrol, officers took to the skies. Some of the marijuana seized was growing in a field between Campobello and Landrum, Wright said.

"It is a big deal when we get four felons off the street," Wright said. And he said it sends a message across the country – "don't bring your trash through Spartanburg County. We want to live healthy and well here."

Wright said there were no major challenges this year.

Wright is thankful no officers were injured. He said no citizens were harmed.

"I want to publicly thank all the police officers that give up their whole week away from their family to come down here and work for the citizens of Spartanburg County to make sure that we're getting this trash off of our street," Wright said.

Operation Rolling Thunder began in 2007. He said the operation was held later this year because some were aware it is usually held in August.

Wright wants the operation to expand through Spartanburg, Greenville and Cherokee counties, or even state line to state line on I-85.

He said people donated money to make the operation possible. Drug seizure money also was used to fund the operation.

Wright said it cost more than $30,000 this year – an exact figure was not provided – and it cost about the same last year. He said it was under $40,000.

He said funds have always covered the cost of the operation, either through donations, confiscations and seized drug money. Almost $99,000 was seized this year.

"We're not going to use taxpayer money for this, but even if I did, it's a worthy operation to do this. It's a good investment," Wright said.

Officers made 25 arrests this year. Seven were felony arrests.

To critics of the operation, Wright said, "I'm still protecting your family as well, even though you might not agree with what I'm doing. …We're making sure that your best interests are protected, whether you like us or not. We're still going to do the right things, whether you agree with us or not."

Evidence will remain in custody until the cases are legally resolved. Counterfeit items – 93 counterfeit items were seized on Thursday alone – will be destroyed.

Wright said as the years have gone by, there has been a decrease in drugs and property seized.

"I think we're winning when you've got somebody on I-20 that's got a note on a bag of dope that says, 'Stay out of Spartanburg County. Rolling Thunder's going on.'"

He said there were a few stops on I-26, but most stops were on I-85.

"For whatever reason, the corridor between Charlotte and Atlanta seems to be a hotbed," Wright said.