‘Operation Dirty Vaquero' rounds up multiple drug, gun arrests in Robeson County
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. (WBTW) — A major law enforcement sweep in Robeson County on Wednesday led to the arrest of multiple people along with gun and drug seizures, Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said.
Codenamed 'Operation Dirty Vaquero' and carried out in cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Eastern District of North Carolina United States Attorney's Office, Wilkins said 'multiple kilos' of fentanyl and cocaine were taken.
'The long-term investigation was a collaborative effort between multiple local, state and federal agencies that has led to taking down some of our largest drug dealers,' Wilkins said in a news release.
Authorities said more information would be released. Officials didn't immediately say how many people were arrested or provide an inventory of what was collected.
Wilkins said the 'sunrise surprise' brought drug and gun possession charges as well as conspiracy for working with previously deported undocumented immigrants.
'The message should be clear: The people of Robeson County are tired of drug dealers and the destruction they have caused,' Wilkins said.
* * *
Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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