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Lenoir police, ALE agents charge 40 in drug crackdown

LENOIR, N.C. — Police and alcohol enforcement officials issued 40 arrest warrants in a joint crackdown on illegal drug, gun and gambling activities in Lenoir.

The joint operation between Lenoir police and the NC Alcohol Law Enforcement is called “Operation Game Over.” It was launched on Jan. 29 after community complaints about two Lenoir convenience stores: Gamewell Superette on Morganton Boulevard and Fastop on Blowing Rock Boulevard.

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According to police, authorities obtained search warrants for the Gamewell Superette and a home about three miles away on Torrence Circle. Police said employees at the Gamewell Superette were accused of distributing meth and heroin to customers.

As a result of the evidence gathered, Lenoir police secured arrest warrants for 40 suspects. Their charges ranged from felony gaming and carrying a concealed weapon to trafficking in opium.

By late Friday afternoon, police said 26 of the 40 suspects were arrested. Police said they also found illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia during the operation.

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“We will move heaven and earth to protect the community we are sworn to serve,” said Lenoir Police Chief Brent Phelps in a news release. “The Lenoir Police Department will continue to leverage all the resources available to ensure our community remains a safe one.”

The North Carolina ABC Commission said it suspended the Gamewell Superette’s license to sell alcohol due to the investigation. The suspension is in effect for 30 days, officials said.

Channel 9′s Dave Faherty spoke to the Gamewell Superette’s owner, who denied some of the allegation but did not want to do an interview.

An employee fought back tears while she told Eyewitness News she never sold drugs to anyone.

(Watch the video below: Officer grazed, suspect hospitalized in shooting involving Lenoir police)