Drugs and money recovered by local police departments were put on display at a Thursday press conference at Gardendale City Hall.

Three-month sting turns up marijuana, weapons and cash.



By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



A Tarrant man is in jail this week after being arrested on drug charges.

The suspect, described as a 44-year-old Hispanic male, was arrested on Wednesday. Police officials did not release his name at a Thursday press conference because he had not been charged. He was expected to be charged Friday.

The bust, which yielded about 32 pounds of marijuana, $200,000 in cash and two handguns, was the culmination of a three-month investigation that involved police departments in Gardendale, Fultondale, Warrior and Tarrant.

The drugs, cash and guns were recovered at the suspect’s residence on Evergreen Street in Tarrant.

At a Thursday press conference, Gardendale Police Chief Mike Walker said the arrest was the result of numerous street buys and search warrants.

He also said the investigation is still ongoing.

“I don’t think we’ve ever come across that amount before,” Walker said. “To come across it in this way is also unusual. Usually, you see this on highway traffic safety stops.”

Walker alleged the suspect had “a very good business,” but operated only within a specific radius.

“He was under the radar,” he said. “He was not your typical dealer.”