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Police seize real gun disguised as Nerf toy in North Carolina drug raid

On Wednesday, March 17, 2021, Narcotics Investigators with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, Hickory Police Department and the Newton Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence on Old Catawba Road in Catawba, N.C. Investigators searched this residence after gathering evidence of narcotics possession at that location. (Provided Photo/Catawba County Sheriff's Office via CNN)

(CNN) — Police in North Carolina found a real gun disguised as a Nerf toy while conducting a drug raid in Catawba County, north of Charlotte, this week.

The Glock 19 pistol, along with a 50-round drum magazine, had been painted blue and orange and labeled with the Nerf logo to look like a toy, the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release on Facebook.

The firearm was among 20 guns — pistols, rifles and shotguns — that investigators found during the home search Wednesday, along with cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms and marijuana. Police also seized about $2,300 in cash.

“Firearms of this type, while not illegal to possess, are concerning to law enforcement,” the release said. “Firearms, in general, are commonly seized in conjunction with searches where felony amounts of narcotics are present.”

Damien Alonzo Burch, 35, was arrested and charged with felonious possession of cocaine, felonious possession of mushrooms and misdemeanor possession of marijuana, the release said. He had a first appearance in Catawba County District Court on Thursday. CNN is trying to reach him or an attorney representing him for comment.