Local

Weapon disguised as toy Nerf gun among 20 firearms seized in Catawba County

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — Earlier this week, Catawba County deputies seized drugs, cash and 20 firearms -- including one that was converted to look like a toy Nerf gun.

The sheriff’s office and the Hickory and Newton police departments performed a search Wednesday at a home on Old Catawba Road in Catawba.

[WANT TO WATCH ON OUR STREAMING APPS? CLICK HERE]

Investigators said they seized cocaine, magic mushrooms, $2,300 and 20 firearms including pistols, rifles and shotguns.

The firearm that appeared to be a Nerf gun was a converted Glock-19 with a 50-round drum magazine, according to police.

“Firearms of this type, while not illegal to possess, are concerning to law enforcement,” the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Damien Alonzo Burch, 35, of Catawba, was arrested and charged with felonious possession of cocaine, felonious possession of mushrooms and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

He was issued a $20,000 unsecured bond and had a first appearance in Catawba County District Court on Thursday.

“Another success resulting from our area narcotics teams working together,” Sheriff Don Brown said. “Our agencies pooling their resources allows for a greater impact to be felt countywide.”