The Roanoke Rapids Police Department has received $205,850.19 in seized money that was part of a joint investigation.

Roanoke Rapids City Council Tuesday approved a budget amendment ordinance to accept the funds, which Finance Director Carmen Johnson said can only be used for narcotics and other drug-related expenses by the police department. She said the money was received June 23.

Narcotics Agent C.W. Batchelor said the money is from a 2021 investigation between the police department, state, and federal agencies. He said the share of Roanoke Rapids money is part of a larger sum of United States currency coming from the sale of narcotics.

Batchelor said while the seizure wasn’t made in Roanoke Rapids, the local police department’s role in the case was a factor in getting a share of the money. “It was a direct result of our ability to work with federal agencies and state agencies in addition to more agencies of our size,” he said. “We look forward to continuing to work with our law enforcement partners to continue to combat the illegal sale of narcotics."