Nearly 40 law enforcement officers and support staff from state, local and federal agencies joined forces on Thursday for Operation Summer Thunder, an enforcement operation that investigated gang activity in Richmond County.
Operation Summer Thunder was a one-day operation throughout the county. Law enforcement teams completed 17 searches
Agencies included DPS Community Corrections, State Highway Patrol, the N.C. Information Sharing and Analysis Center (NC ISAAC), federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Rockingham Police Department, Hamlet Police Department and the DPS Special Operations and Intelligence Unit.
“Illegal activity can be found anywhere,” said Department of Public Safety Secretary Erik A. Hooks. “I want to thank our Special Ops and Community Corrections staffs, as well as our law enforcement partners, for the hard work and planning that went into this operation.”
The operation netted:
- 11 arrests;
- 3 citations;
- 1 arrest on a state warrant; and
- 5 guns.
“This is a fine example of law enforcement working together for a safe Richmond County,” said Richmond County Sheriff James E. Clemmons, Jr.
Hamlet Police Chief Scott Waters said, “I am thankful for all the help, and we got a number of guns, drugs, drug paraphernalia and absconders off the streets.”
Rockingham Assistant Police Chief E.W. Grant added, "This is another example of law enforcement agencies working together in the continuing effort to make our communities safe."
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