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Mr. BUDD. Madam President, I rise today to commend the law enforcement officers of Graham County, NC, for their exceptional efforts in the completion of Operation Dirty Laundry. This 11-month undercover investigation successfully disrupted a large-scale criminal network in Appalachia. The operation unveiled a coordinated criminal enterprise involving drug trafficking and illegal gambling in Western North Carolina.
The investigation began with tips about unlawful activity tied to multiple businesses in and around Robbinsville, including 30 vape shops that were in the area.
The Graham County Sheriff's Office worked in conjunction with State and Federal partners to uncover some horrific evidence. On the scene, law enforcement discovered more than $200,000 in illicit cash that was seized, along with 130 pounds of dangerous scheduled substances-- including marijuana, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and hallucinogenic mushrooms--and 13 illegal gambling machines. Authorities are pursuing charges against more than 38 individuals connected to this criminal activity.
But these numbers are not just statistics; they represent safer neighborhoods, families shielded from the devastation of addiction, and young people steered away from the life-altering trap of dangerous drugs. For North Carolinians of Graham County, the completion of this operation brings a renewed hope and reassurance that local law enforcement is standing firm and holding criminals accountable that seek to exploit our communities.
I want to extend my gratitude to my good friend Graham County sheriff Brad Hoxit and to every other officer and deputy in his department who worked tirelessly and took on personal risk to keep their community safe.
Your courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment represent the very best of public service.
I applaud the continuing efforts of local law enforcement to bring these dangerous criminals to justice.
I am going to continue to ensure our law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to keep North Carolina strong. As I have said before on the Senate floor, drug traffickers will find no refuge in Western North Carolina or anywhere in the Old North State.
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