Alamance sheriff says 'I am not a racist,' calls county illegal drug hub of Southeast

GRAHAM -- Saying he is not a racist, Sheriff Terry Johnson announced plans Monday night to work more closely with federal immigration officials, telling county leaders Alamance County has become has become the drug hub of the Southeast.

Johnson asked the county commissioners for 18 more officers in next year’s budget, in part, to stem drug trafficking he said is fueled by Mexican cartels. The Sheriff’s Office has 276 employees now, including 140 sworn officers.

In addition to rejoining the 287(g) program, which lets local agencies perform immigration enforcement, Johnson plans to rent space in the Alamance County Jail to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to house detainees being deported. ICE will pay the county about $66 per detainee per night, he said.

“I’m not doing it to make a dime,” he said. “I’m doing it because it’s the right thing to do and to help protect my citizens.”

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