Drugs – Shoals Insider

FLORENCE MAN ARRESTED AFTER DRUGS FOUND IN SEARCH OF HOME

Staff — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:48:55 +0000

On Friday, March 8th, Agents with the Lauderdale County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 30 Rainbow City Drive. A search of the residence revealed approximately 8 grams of Fentanyl pills, a gun, a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The street value of the Fentanyl was approximately $ 1,200. This according to drug agents.

Raphael Dominique Vaughn, 33, was arrested and charged with Trafficking in illegal drugs (Fentanyl), Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Vaughn is being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center on a $52,000 bond.

Leader of Northeast Birmingham Drug Ring Sentenced to 23 Years in Federal Prison

H. Wayne Nix — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 17:56:08 +0000

BIRMINGHAM – A federal judge today sentenced the leader of one of Birmingham’s largest cocaine- and heroin-trafficking rings to nearly 23 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance, FBI Special Agent in Charge Roger C. Stanton, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Veronica Hyman-Pillot, and Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale.

U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler sentenced PATRICK DEWAYNE HALL, 37, to 22 years, 11 months in prison for his role in leading the illegal drug-trafficking organization based in northeast Birmingham. Hall pleaded guilty in January 2016 to participating in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and to various other drug charges, including money laundering and using a telephone to traffic drugs.

A federal grand jury in October returned a 72-count indictment charging Hall and 23 others with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and cocaine. In addition to being charged in the conspiracy, various defendants also were charged with distributing drugs and laundering money.

The investigation focused on Hall, who, along with one of his lieutenants, LOVODAS DEANGELO BLAKE, 27, was arrested in the early morning of Aug. 2 by an FBI SWAT team after the duo hid for several hours in the attic of a Northeast Birmingham home. The pair ran to the house after leading federal agents on a high-speed chase through northeast Birmingham, then ditching their Chevrolet Tahoe in the front yard of a home. FBI agents recovered more than nine kilograms of cocaine and almost $20,000 from the vehicle.

Among the defendants sentenced today was DAVID WAYNE McDANIEL, 24, who is widely known by his rap artist moniker, “Northside Weezy.” McDaniel received a seven-year, six-month sentence. Also sentenced were TEDDY TONELL DAVIS, 34, to 15 years, eight months in federal prison, and COREY LIONEL PITTS, 38, to 10 years in prison. Last month, Judge Coogler sentenced ROBERT LYNN THOMAS JR., 26, to five years in prison, JESSTIFUR JAHALIA FERRARI HURST, 29, to 10 years in prison, RODRIQUIS TYRONE STURDIVANT, 26, to two years and 11 months in prison, ISRAEL BRAVO OLASOAGAR, 38, to three years, 10 months in prison, and JESSE TYRONE HURST, 58, to five years in prison. The remaining defendants are scheduled for sentencing in the coming months.

The prosecution resulted in the forfeiture of large amounts of cash, four vehicles valued at more than $160,000, five parcels of real property valued at more than $300,000, and 23 money judgments levied against the defendants for $10 million.

The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and other agency members of the FBI’s North Alabama Safe Streets Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg Dimler and Kathryn McHugh prosecuted the case.

Big Pot Bust in Franklin County

H. Wayne Nix — Thu, 12 May 2016 23:32:19 +0000

Photos of Marijuana bust by Franklin County Sheriff.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s office seized over 280 pounds of high quality marijuana.

Over 280 pounds of marijuana were found in an indoor grow operation. Officials say that the amount is worth over one million dollars.
Investigators were alerted of a strong marijuana smell coming from inside a mobile home in Spruce Pine. The home is owned by Manuel De Jesus Diaz Alvarez, 54, of Cuba.

Deputies spoke with Alvarez and even showed them around the mobile home that was packed with pot plants.

Alvarez was arrested and is being held without bail because he is considered a flight risk.

Sheffield Police Make Announcement About Kratom

H. Wayne Nix — Thu, 12 May 2016 01:37:28 +0000

Kratom Tree

NOTICE … the product KRATOM, (also known as herbal potpourri), in the past has been marketed as an energy stimulant and an aid for muscle pain, and can be found in liquid form as well as powder and capsules.

KRATOM and the alkaloids which form this product are NOW ILLEGAL. Anyone who is in possession of, or offering to sale KRATOM in any form is in violation of the new law which is a Class D felony, and you will be prosecuted. The alkaloid ingredients are called: mitragynine and hydromitragynine.

A variety of KRATOM products have been available statewide in gas stations and retail stores and could be purchased online. They have been sold under names such as Viva Zen, K Chill, Green Wen and Zombie Matter. The new designation of Class D felony, which took effect Jan. 30, 2016 can include a punishment of up to five years in prison.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, there have been concerns over the past several years about the toxicity of KRATOM in multiple organ systems. The substance can have effects similar to narcotics, stimulants and opioids, including their same withdrawal effects.

Please be aware of these products and their effects on your health. We also advise parents to be alert and pay attention to products your children purchase. Being aware could save a life and also prevent future drug addiction. Below are some photos of various products which include KRATOM so you can be more familiar with what their packaging looks like. If you have any questions feel free to contact us at the Colbert County Sheriff’s Office. If you own a retail store that has had this product for sale and you need to dispose of the product you can contact our office and we will assist you. 256-383-0741