I have served in law enforcement for more than 40 years, most of that in narcotics investigations. During that time, I have been on an extensive number of search warrants. Most of those search warrants did not contain the no-knock search clause. I have been on a handful of search warrants that did.
As commander of a drug task force in Middle Georgia, I have had my agents include this clause only a few times. This was applied for by advising the judge of the possible danger to law enforcement or the destruction of evidence. This information is gained throughan investigation that gives us information and insight on how drug dealers handle their transactions. Throughout my career, it has been alarming for me to see the increase in the number of weapons found during the execution of search warrants as well as in the number of individuals destroying evidence before we can reach it.
Just last month, a search warrant executed by my office found a drug dealer had drugs sitting on the back of a toilet, ready to be destroyed before law enforcement could enter the residence. After reading the backgrounds of some individuals about to be searched, I am alarmed and very apprehensive at the potential threat to those I supervise as well as to other law enforcement personnel. I know what could happen if we find drugs on people who are, most of the time, already on state or federal probation or parole and who know they will go back to prison if arrested again.
Recently, our office executed a no-knock search warrant on a person who had been arrested 23 times in Baldwin County. The location and timing of this warrant was critical for our agency to gain advantage on a habitual violator who obviously has no respect for the law, and to find evidence that he would not hesitate to use force to conceal or destroy. The no-knock search warrant is a valuable tool in this type of situation.
To obtain such a warrant, the officer has to be able to articulate to a judge why he or she would want this clause in a search warrant. Today, law enforcement finds there is a great deal of cash and drugs being stored that individuals will go to great lengths to protect. If I deem a no-knock search warrant is needed, but is too risky for my office to execute, I can reach out to teams trained and equipped to execute what I would describe as a high-risk search warrant.
A no-knock clause is something our office uses very seldom. But if it is used, it is highly researched and discussed prior to its use.
Wesley E. Nunn is president of the Georgia Narcotics Officers Association and commander of the Ocmulgee Drug Task Force.
