Man facing trial for 1999 murder caught with nearly 2 pounds of fentanyl, Mobile sheriff says

The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office announced that on Wednesday it arrested an individual for allegedly trafficking fentanyl.

Jamelle Thomas was arrested by MCSO’s Narcotics and Special Operations unit following a search of the Baymont Inn on W. I-65 Service Road.

Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said Thursday that the unit had been following Thomas for some time after receiving information that he was allegedly selling prescription drugs containing fentanyl.

Burch said when they executed the search warrant, they realized Thomas had a separate active warrant for homicide.

In 2020, Thomas was charged with the shooting death of 24-year-old Marcel Chandler on Dec. 13, 1999, according to Mobile Police.

Thomas was free on bond and on Monday a trial date was set for Nov. 18, according to court records.

In his most recent arrest, Thomas allegedly possessed nearly two pounds of prescription medication containing fentanyl.

Thomas is charged with trafficking fentanyl, tampering with physical evidence, possession/use of drug paraphernalia and possession/use of a controlled substance.

Burch said it’s one of the biggest drug busts they’ve had recently.

“It’s one of the most significant ones we’ve had recently,” Burch said. “This is the largest I know of that we have on a search warrant. You know, with an individual.

Burch said it is unclear how Thomas came into possession of fentanyl as the case is still under investigation.

If convicted, Thomas could face life in prison due to the amount of fentanyl he allegedly possessed.