Money and assets seized throughout the past year have allowed the sheriff's office to buy a 2014 Ford van to transfer mental patientsand inmates and a used 2013 Yukon Sheriff Wes Tripp will use as his vehicle after letting a deputy have his 2013 Ford patrol car. The deputy, Tripp said today, desperately needed a new vehicle.

The drug money also gives every deputy — 66 — new cameras to use for crime scene photography as well as an undisclosed number of unmarked cars for undercover operations and equipment for those operations.

“The new transport van will save taxpayer dollar expenses on fuel, by virtue of being able to coordinate various trips that the sheriff's office is mandated to complete,” he said. “The multiple occupancy van will also allow for more deputies to remain in the county as trips are made.”

The Yukon, foreground, and the transport van.

Wednesday marked the first time the van was used, and the sheriff said he will be monitoring the costs. The van will be used to transfer mental patients, who are either taken as far as the mountains or to Jacksonville, and prisoners. It is designed so males and females can be transported together. Since one deputy and one jailer will be assigned to the van per shift, it keeps other deputies on the road, Tripp said.

“Asset forfeiture money,” the sheriff said, “Has been spent on a variety of needs in recent times and will continue to aid the sheriff's office in serving county residents.”

The narcotics unit has worked with the state Department of Revenue and federal prosecutors to secure thousands of dollars and assets to agencies that have assisted in federal cases. “Federal agencies have, and continue to pay overtime to local officers involved in ongoing cases.”

The fruits of this money, Tripp said, may not always be seen by the public, but they include a jail camera system, deputy training expenses, marking patrol cars, enclosed trailers, pistols, shotguns, Tasers and a ventilation system for the jail. They fund ongoing drug campaigns, computers, electronic accessories, canine vet bills, canine equipment and training aids.

Tripp said the equipment includes patrol car laptops, air cards, software upgrades and specialized equipment for narcotics cases. “Crime-fighting techniques have drastically changed a lot in the last 10 to 20 years. The last 10 to 20 years are not what they used to be. Staying ahead of the ballgame is necessary. Why not use the drug funds?”

The drug forfeiture money goes back to Operation Burnout and will include several thousand dollars that was seized on Interstate 95 today, Tripp said without elaborating. “I continue to dedicate resources for further campaigns that have anticipated asset forfeitures. The assertive campaigns have directly contributed to the public safety in every community in Halifax County and have removed repeat offenders,” he said. “The assets seized will continue to serve residents and supplement the sheriff's office budget. Drug dealers' money and assets are working against them as we speak.”