The Watauga County Sheriff's Office Special Operations Unit released figures relating to drug investigations for 2009, reflecting significant increases in arrests and charges over the previous year.

Investigations led by the unit resulted in 128 arrests and 732 charges. The department obtained 22 search warrants, shut down three laboratory operations and 13 grow operations through the year. The labs were manufacturing DMT (dimethletryptamine), a hallucinogenic drug, and two mescaline operations, a psychedelic drug.

Cpt. Al Reed, of the special operations unit, said no operating methamphetamine labs were found in 2009, though remnants were discovered.

The total estimated street value of seized drugs was more than $1.1 million.

"Although I am very pleased with the solid efforts of the WCSO Special Operations Unit, as evidenced by the increases in arrests and charges for 2009, we unfortunately continue to face many challenges in Watauga regarding illegal drug activity," said sheriff Len Hagaman. "I am convinced that our successes, including those not reflected in these statistics from the patrol deputies, are as a result of successful officer vigilance and continuing our partnerships with other local agencies, particularly Boone Police Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation."

In 2008, the department arrested 91 people on 408 charges, obtained 19 search warrants and three meth labs were found.

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