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Correctional Officer is 1 of 9 Arrested in Investigation of Drugs Distributed in NC Prisons

Sheriff Terry Johnson says the alleged ringleader of this drug distribution network is a man from Burlington.

BURLINGTON, N.C. — Sheriff Terry Johnson with the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office released the details of an ongoing investigation into drugs being distributed in NC prisons on Friday. 

Johnson said nine people have been arrested so far - one of them is a correctional officer - and the alleged ringleader is a man from Burlington. 

The investigation started in August after the NC Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) received a tip that an Alamance County man was involved with the distribution of narcotics in state prisons. Samuel Lee Perkins, of Burlington, was identified as the suspect and arrested, Johnson said. 

Investigators with multiple agencies say Perkins controlled a distribution network of Suboxone, a schedule III narcotic. Sheriff Johnson said the network stretches throughout the state. 

Those arrested so far in the investigation include a Department of Public Safety correctional officer, identified as Lauren Del Zimmerman, four inmates, and others on various charges. 

“This type of criminal activity is a slap in the face to the hardworking, underpaid employees of the NC Department of Corrections who keep our communities safe from those who choose to commit serious crimes in Alamance County and our great State”, Sheriff Johnson said.

Sheriff Johnson says the investigation in ongoing and he expects more arrests. 

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