The Asheville Police Department (238 sworn officers) recently demonstrated the explosive potential of high-tech community collaboration. By leveraging a single, anonymous lead sent via the tip411 system, officers dismantled a major drug operation, resulting in one of the most significant seizures in the history of the region.
tip411 is removing the barriers between the public and the police to create a safer Asheville.
The Breakthrough: Data Meets the Street
The true power of the tip411 tool was realized when a tip about a large-scale drug ring landed on a detective’s screen. Following that digital breadcrumb led APD to the arrest of 37-year-old Jesse Milton Ogletree Jr. and the recovery of a staggering haul of illegal contraband.
The impact by the numbers:
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33+ Pounds of Narcotics: Total weight of illicit substances removed from circulation.
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8.03 Kilograms of Suspected Fentanyl: That is enough to deliver over 4 million lethal doses.
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The Arsenal: 8 firearms seized, including high-capacity shotguns and an untraceable “ghost gun.”
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The Infrastructure: Thousands in cash and industrial-grade distribution equipment.
Without that initial anonymous tip through the tip411 tool, this lethal inventory could still be moving through the community.
Arrested and Charged:
- Felony Trafficking in Fentanyl x2
- Felony Trafficking in Methamphetamine x2
- Felony Trafficking in Cocaine x2
- Felony Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance
- Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Fentanyl
- Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine
- Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Methamphetamine
- Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
- Felony Possess Weapon of Mass Destruction
- Felony Possession of Firearm by Felon
- Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
What is tip411?
tip411 is tool is a sophisticated, web-based platform designed to turn the community into a proactive force for safety. Unlike old-school “tip lines,” this is a dynamic, encrypted bridge between residents and investigators.
Why it’s a game-changer:
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Ironclad Anonymity: The software scrubs all metadata and identifying markers before the police see the message. It guarantees total privacy, effectively silencing the fear of retaliation.
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Frictionless Reporting: No long forms or intimidating phone calls. Residents can report suspicious activity in seconds via the app or a simple text.
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Two-Way Intel: This isn’t a “shout into the void” system. Detectives can chat back with tipsters in real-time to ask for specifics, all while the sender’s identity remains 100% shielded.
A Proven Track Record
This record-breaking fentanyl seizure is the latest—and largest—trophy in TIP2APD’s growing cabinet. Since its launch, the app has been the catalyst for dozens of successful cases, from solving property crimes to curbing violent offenses.
As former Chief David Zack once highlighted, the department’s ability to purge deadly drugs and dangerous weapons from our streets is directly fueled by the community’s willingness to “hit send.”
The Asheville, NC PD mobile app is available to download for free from the Google Play Store and the iTunes App Store. Citizens can also submit an anonymous text tip via their cell phone by texting the keyword “TIP2APD” and their message/tip to 847411.
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