David Pitman of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division has been chosen as the Officer of the Month for July 2010.
Last month, Pitman received an anonymous phone call in reference to a suspicious package that had been sent in the mail. Pitman contacted a vice/narcotics agent and went to investigate the package. Upon investigating the package, it was learned that the package contained khat.
On July 7, 2010, after further investigation, officers with the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and the Narcotics Unit arrested Abdil Nasser Almuwallad at AA Foodmart, 200 W. Andrews Ave in Henderson, North Carolina for possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver a Schedule I Controlled Substance. Almuwallad was in possession of 30 pounds of khat.
During the investigation, 50 pounds of khat was seized.
Khat “is a flowering plant native to tropical East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Khat contains the alkaloid cathinone, an amphetamine-like stimulant.” Cathinone is a Schedule I Controlled Substance under the Controlled Substance Act.
Almuwallad received a $20,000 secured bond and was released after posting bond.
Pitman was recognized in part for his dilligence in continuing to investigate the complaint that lead to the arrest of Abdil Almuwallad. Khat is an unusual substance that officers do not often deal with and rarely see. Despite its rarity, Pitman continued to investigate what the substance was that was located in the package by doing research and consulting with fellow officers.
Officer Pitman is currently assigned as the court liaison officer of the Henderson Police Department. His duties include maintaining citations, officers’ court calendars, district attorneys’ reports, and serving subpoenas. Pitman is also tasked with maintaining the department’s list of career offenders in the community, and he presents this information to court officials to seek prosecution on repeat criminal offenders.
Pitman is an asset to the Henderson Police Department and his service is appreciated.