Local, state and federal officers patrolled Polk County streets Thursday, Aug. 29 to cut down on impaired drivers and drugs.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with Homeland Security, Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE), Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Tryon and Columbus Police Departments and the NC Highway Patrol, performed a Criminal Patrol Joint Operation that resulted in 31 charges, including 11 arrests and several citations.

The operation took place along I-26, Hwy. 74 and on various secondary roads in Polk County.

“These stops are done as a pro-active enforcement tool to detour drug and criminal activity in the county,” said Polk County Sheriff Donald Hill. “The community gains the satisfaction of getting drugs out of the county, recovery of stolen property, making arrest of fugitive felons and to get drunk drivers off the road.”

Arrests included seven counts of simple possession of schedule VI controlled substance, nine counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of possession of schedule I controlled substance, two counts of simple possession of schedule II controlled substance, one count of simple possession of schedule III controlled substance, two counts of possession with intent to manufacture sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance, one count of maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance, one driving while impaired, two counts of possess spirituous liquor under age 21, one count of possess malt beverage under the age of 21, one count of misdemeanor child abuse, one count of carrying a concealed weapon, one count of resist, delay and obstruct and one no operator’s license, according to sheriff reports.

Citations issued were for speeding, open container, following too closely, no operator’s license, failure to carry license, expired registration and simple possession of schedule IV controlled substance.

Sheriff’s office officials said they appreciate all the agencies for their hard work during the joint operation, especially  Homeland Security, which sponsored the event.

The Homeland Security Officers organized the joint operation and assisted in some funding, Hill said. Having federal officers such as Homeland Security allows the criminal investigation to go outside the state and county lines, for drug trafficking and identity theft cases in particular, Hill said.