Authorities say a major drug trafficking operation in North Alabama has been dismantled after a months-long investigation, leading to four arrests with more expected.
According to the Huntsville Police Department, the investigation was led by the North Alabama Drug Task Force with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Region F Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force.
Officials said agents uncovered the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills along with other illegal narcotics.
Search warrants were executed at locations in the 1500 block of Wall Road in Brownsboro and the 100 block of Callie Circle in Huntsville.
During the operation, authorities seized:
- 1.3 pounds of opiates
- 24 pounds of etizolam
- 5.8 pounds of marijuana
- 32 pounds of THC vape products
- A pill press used to manufacture counterfeit pills
- $255,575 in cash
- 25 firearms
Investigators said four suspects have been arrested, with additional arrests expected as the investigation continues.
Those arrested include:
- William Jones, 68, charged with trafficking opiates, trafficking synthetic narcotics and trafficking marijuana. His bond was set at $4.5 million.
- Micah Jones, 49, charged with trafficking opiates, trafficking synthetic narcotics and trafficking marijuana. His bond was set at $4.5 million.
- Melissa Jones, 23, charged with conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime involving trafficking. Her bond was set at $500,000.
- William Childress, 26, charged with conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime involving trafficking. His bond was set at $500,000.
Police said fentanyl continues to pose a serious danger in the community and that operations like this are aimed at removing potentially deadly substances from circulation.
The investigation remains ongoing.
