Infignos Media - St. Clair County deputies seize $300K of marijuana

From Local News

Brought to you by Oxford Lumber

Neighborhood service and warehouse prices since 1958. We're also proud to own and operate Roanoke Ace Home Center, Talladega Ace Home Center and Jacksonville Home Center. Oxford Lumber is located at 1400 Barry Street. Call 256-831-0540

St. Clair County deputies seize $300K of marijuana

Thursday, February 9, 2012

St. Clair County's sheriff says a massive drug raid--one that yielded assault weapons and some 250 pounds of marijuana--may just be "the tip of the iceberg" for a large scale drug operation. And he says both suspects are illegal immigrants. One of them, 18-year-old Manuel Flores, is in custody in the St. Clair County Jail. Sheriff Terry Surles says Flores tried to run when investigations caught up with him while serving a search warrant on Duke Street in Steele. Surles says after a brief manhunt that involved his deputies, police departments from Ashville and Steele, a helicopter from the Etowah County Sheriff's Office and even search dogs from the St. Clair County Correctional Facility, they were able to capture him. The other suspect is at large, and is believed to be out of state. Surles says both are from Mexico and are in the country illegally, and that Flores has even been deported twice already. The marijuana was packaged in mostly large bales, indicating to investigators that they may have been part of a shipping operation and were likely imported from Mexico.

Investigators searched three homes altogether, two on Duke Street and a third on County Road 42, all within a few miles of each other. They say they also found assault rifles, handguns, regular rifles and ammunition, and a bullet proof vest. "The investigation is definitely ongoing, it's continuing, and we've just probably, this is probably a drop in the bucket compared to the magnitude of the operation itself," Surles said Thursday at a news conference. Surles says he's pround to have the marijuana, with a combined street value around $300,000--off the streets. Surles expressed concern, and relief, that the deputies no longer have to worry about the firepower that is now in the hands of the sheriff's office evidence workers. "That adds to the concern to me as sheriff about my men and my people going up there, performing the duties that they're sworn to do, and we're faced with automatic weapons and bulletproof vests by illegal aliens," Surles said. "I can be a little bit relieved that my people don't have to face this," he said.

Here's More...

Dental Health is Important for Children's 'Baby Teeth'

only 63 percent of children ages two to four see the dentist at least annually.

Lamb Chops and Red Wine: A Perfect Easter Pairing

consider a classic red variety like Cabernet Sauvignon.

Alabama Department of Public Health issues 2016 Fish Consumption

advisory may place the consumer at risk for harm from the contaminant.

Aquarium animals and plants should never be released in the wild

Releasing aquatic plants is illegal

Keywords: Massive drug raid,St. Clair County, marijuana,assault,weapons

Visit Local News