Three arrested, two at large during recent drug crackdown

Nov. 12—Priceville police made three arrests for drug trafficking on Interstate 65 this weekend, while Limestone County deputies are still searching for two suspects after recovering more than 24 pounds of marijuana in a drug raid.

Markale Mantille Stinnett, 27, of Rogersville, is charged with trafficking in fentanyl, trafficking in meth and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Priceville police.

Police said Stinnett was pulled over Friday around 7 p.m. for following too closely the vehicle in front of him while driving on I-65, near mile marker 331, with his two young children in the vehicle.

“During the traffic enforcement operation, several observed factors led officers to believe the driver was involved in criminal activity,” police said.

Police said they searched the vehicle and found “blue-colored methamphetamine-pressed Xanax pills” and a “chalky powder identified as fentanyl,” as well as paraphernalia.

According to police, Stinnett’s children were released to other legal guardians and the Department of Human Resources was notified.

“In addition, Stinnett was charged with reckless endangerment because he had his two young children in the vehicle at the time of the stop,” police said.

Stinnett remained in the Morgan County Jail Monday in lieu of $1,440,000 bail.

—

Marijuana

Priceville police said they found more drugs on the highway near mile marker 334 around 12:30 a.m. Sunday after stopping a vehicle for a “minor traffic violation.”

Essence Launa Ridley, 37, and Clarence Vincent Evans, 40 – both of Toledo, Ohio – are each charged with trafficking in cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to deliver or sell, according to police.

“A probable cause search of the vehicle resulted in locating approximately 16 pounds of marijuana,” police said. “The occupants were also in possession of multiple packaging materials consistent with the illegal sale and transportation of bulk narcotics and U.S. currency.”

Marijuana is illegal in Alabama, and medical cannabis remains in legal purgatory.

Ridley and Evans each remained in the Morgan County Jail Monday in lieu of $31,000 bonds.

—

Limestone

On Thursday, the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and SWAT, with assistance from Madison County deputies and the Athens Police Department, executed several search warrants throughout Athens.

Deputies, who did not disclose the location of the searches, said they seized more than 24 pounds of marijuana, a distribution quantity of meth, a small amount of crack/cocaine, an assortment of pills, 10 illegal possession firearms and cash.

After the operation, two arrest warrants were issued for men from Athens.

Jarvis Deshaun Cain, 45, is charged with trafficking in marijuana, prohibiting certain persons from possessing a handgun and illegal possession of a controlled substance, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Terrias Dontas Cain, 40, is charged with trafficking in cocaine, two counts of prohibiting certain persons from possessing a handgun, first- and second-degree possession of marijuana, possession of meth with intent to distribute, and possession of crack /cocaine, according to the sheriff’s office.

Both Cains were still at large on Monday.

“I would like to thank our deputies and all of our law enforcement partners, whose cooperation and commitment were instrumental in the success of this operation,” Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin said in a statement.

Court records show Jarvis Cain was charged with attempted murder and first-degree burglary in 2011 before the charges were dismissed in 2014, while Terrias Cain pleaded guilty in 2007 to first-degree possession of marijuana.

– [email protected] or 256-340-2438.