By Patrick McCreless

patrickm@cullmantimes.com

Narcotics investigators recently arrested a man for allegedly trafficking methamphetamine out of his Fairview home.

A six-month long investigation by the Cullman Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) led to the March 6 arrest of Bennie Harold York, 54, at his residence on County Road 1558. During the time of the arrest, investigators discovered 66 grams of meth with a street value of $6,600. Due to the large quantity of meth recovered, York was charged not with simple possession but instead with drug trafficking.

“Reports from CNET indicate he (York) is an active dealer in methamphetamine,” said Chief Deputy Tony Quick.

According to the Alabama Code of Law, a person shall be charged with meth trafficking if he or she knowingly sells or has possession of at least 28 grams of the drug.

Quick said 66 grams of meth is not an unusual amount for Cullman County narcotics investigators to find at crime scenes but added that the recent bust was still significant.

“If we’re able to get it (meth) off the streets it’s a success story,” Quick said. “It doesn’t matter what the weight is.”

Investigators began conducting surveillance operations on York’s home after receiving several complaints from the surrounding community.

“The reason we were fortunate to arrest him was because of the number of reports of him selling meth,” Quick said.

Along with the drugs, investigators recovered 11 firearms at the scene.

“They confiscated them to see if they were stolen,” Quick said.

What was not found in York’s home, however, was a working meth lab.

“There was no evidence found that he was making it at his residence,” Quick said. “There are no leads on where he was getting it from but investigations are continuing to determine where the illegal substance came from.”

York was transported to the Cullman County Detention Center and is currently out on a $25,000 bond.

Trafficking in methamphetamine is a Class A felony. Anyone convicted of trafficking between 28 and 600 grams of meth shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of three years in prison and required to pay a fine of $100,000.