Sheriff announces several drug arrests over last month

Baldwin and Florida residents among latest after meth discovered at home in rural area

BCSO RELEASE
Posted 10/3/16

BAY MINETTE, Alabama — The Baldwin County Drug Task Force announced Monday several arrests in the culmination of a narcotics investigation conducted Sept. 30 in Baldwin County.

According to a …

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Sheriff announces several drug arrests over last month

Baldwin and Florida residents among latest after meth discovered at home in rural area

Posted

BAY MINETTE, Alabama — The Baldwin County Drug Task Force announced Monday several arrests in the culmination of a narcotics investigation conducted Sept. 30 in Baldwin County.

According to a release issued Monday by Baldwin County Sheriff Huey Hoss Mack, the Drug Task Force has conducted investigations and served several search warrants in various areas of Baldwin County over the last month.

The Baldwin County Drug Task Force is a multijurisdictional drug task force formed in the 1980s by the Sheriff’s Office to combat illegal drug activity in Baldwin County.

The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for the operation and supervision of the unit. The unit is comprised of Baldwin County Narcotics Investigators and Narcotics Investigators from the Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fairhope, Daphne, Bay Minette and Loxley police departments.

The Drug Task Force also participates in federal investigations with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigations and Immigrations & Customs Enforcement when guidelines are met.

According to the release a search warrant was executed on Sept. 30 by the Baldwin County Drug Task Force and Sheriff’s SWAT team on County Road 112 in the Clear Springs Community of Baldwin County.

During the search warrant, methamphetamine was discovered in several locations throughout the house, which totaled 1.5 ounces. An ongoing investigation in conjunction with items seized during the search warrant, has resulted in the following charges:

Edward Michael Ryan, 38, and Sheena Nicole Cates, 32, both of whom list their address as the same location on County Road 112, were charged with trafficking methamphetamine, which carries a bond of $1 million; and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ryan was also charged with possession of a pistol by a drunk/addict, which carries a $2,500 bond.

Also charged with trafficking and firearm possession was Randyl Levi White, 40, of Pensacola.

White was also charged with receiving stolen property. He also has warrants with the Escambia County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office for distribution of heroin, according to the release and is being held without bond.

Ronnie Wood, 40, of Cantonment, Florida, and Adam Miller, 25, of Buck Lane in Robertsdale, were also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Both have been released on a $1,000 bond.

“It is believed that Ryan and White are also convicted felons, and thereby are legally not allowed to possess any firearms,” according to the release. “An ongoing investigation will be continued to determine if they will be charged at the federal level for carrying firearms illegally and in the conjunction of drug transactions.”

This follows an unrelated search warrant which was served on Sept. 29, at J.B. Williams Road in Loxley. During that search warrant, four individuals were arrested for possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia. Those individuals arrested were Jonathan Gulledge, Ashley Davis (Lawson), Stephanie Brown and Jessie Brown.

Also in an unrelated charge on Sept. 24, the DTF was called out to Carolyn Avenue in Daphne. During this investigation 2.5 grams of meth and paraphernalia was initially observed and following a search of the residence, approximately 46 grams of liquid, which was later determined to be meth oil, was recovered from the residence. Danny Darrell Cox and Amy Lynette Cox were arrested and charged with trafficking and unlawful manufacture of crystal methamphetamine.

On Sept. 19, the Special Operations Unit stopped a rented Nissan Altima on Interstate 10 for traffic violation. Based on probable cause and following a canine alert, the vehicle was searched. Four bundles of suspected cocaine were located in a factory void inside the rear doors. Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Correction Center and charged with trafficking in cocaine. Those two individuals were Kelly Truitt, of Winter Park, Florida; and Joel Lopez, of Kissimmee, Florida.

On Sept. 9, Baldwin County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Richard Wayne Bennett for trafficking in methamphetamine, and carrying a pistol without a permit, as well as unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia following a traffic stop. Bennett was found to be in possession of 62.8 grams of methamphetamine/ICE, a Beretta 9 mm and a meth pipe, along with various paraphernalia associated with the distribution of this drug.

In looking at the cases made by the Drug Task Force and individuals having been arrested so far in 2016 the following numbers are presented:

There been a total of 37 individuals arrested so far this year for distribution of a controlled substance (six), drug trafficking (20), manufacturing a controlled substance first-degree (10) and trafficking a controlled substance (one).

Of the individuals who have been arrested for all drug-related crimes in the Sheriff’s Corrections Center, it is noted there currently is an overall trend regarding the increase of methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine usage and distribution in Baldwin County.

“October is Red Ribbon Month across our nation, in which many people participate in the education and the effects of illegal drug activity among our youth,” Mack said. “While education is a preventative factor in narcotics investigation, enforcement is a large factor as well. The joint efforts of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Drug Task Force, along with its municipal partners, continue to make a significant impact on the drug distribution and activity in Baldwin County.”