Eight Arrested as Gadsden Drug Investigation Seizes Fentanyl, Meth and Firearms

Cash, packaged suspected drugs, firearms and magazines displayed in a WEIS News header for the Gadsden drug operation.

Authorities say the four-month, multi-agency investigation remains active and additional charges are possible.

GADSDEN, Ala. — Authorities arrested eight people during a joint drug operation in Gadsden. The arrests followed a four-month investigation involving local, state and federal agencies.

Afterward, the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office released updated seizure totals. The office hosted a press conference Friday to discuss the investigation.

Investigators served warrants Wednesday, Aug. 5, at about eight locations. According to officials, five people faced allegations connected to the drug investigation.

Meanwhile, officers arrested three others on unrelated outstanding warrants found during the operation.

Etowah County District Attorney Jody Willoughby said officers completed the operation without injuries. No officers, suspects or bystanders suffered injuries, he said.

Fentanyl, Methamphetamine and Firearms Seized

According to the Sheriff’s Office, investigators seized about:

  • 1.25 pounds of fentanyl
  • Four ounces of methamphetamine
  • Five firearms
  • More than $8,700 in cash
  • Three vehicles
  • Marijuana
  • A pill press

Authorities allege the seized items had connections to illegal drug distribution. Meanwhile, the investigation remains active.

In addition, officials said investigators could file more charges as the case develops.

Five Face Drug-Trafficking Allegations

During the press conference, Willoughby summarized the arrest warrants. Specifically, he identified five defendants connected to the drug investigation:

  • First, Willoughby said Zuquavius Clay faces two counts of drug trafficking.
  • Demetrie Borden also faces two drug-trafficking counts and first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana.
  • Meanwhile, Alexis Buchanan faces drug-trafficking and theft-related allegations.
  • Authorities accuse David Coats of drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
  • Finally, Willoughby said Larry Smith Jr. faces three drug-trafficking counts.

However, the Sheriff’s Office’s inmate roster may show additional booking entries. Those entries may extend beyond the allegations summarized during the press conference.

Meanwhile, officers arrested three other people after finding unrelated outstanding warrants.

Willoughby identified them as Erica Watson, Brent Thomas and Crystal Wells. Watson had a pending Gadsden criminal-trespass warrant.

Thomas had an outstanding disorderly-conduct warrant. In addition, Wells had outstanding Gadsden traffic warrants.

U.S. Attorney Pledges Continued Federal Assistance

U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. said his office helped bring the operation together. Williams, a Gadsden native, also praised the work in his hometown.

According to Williams, the investigation aligned with Operation Take Back America. The national Justice Department program targets violent crime and major drug networks.

The program also targets cartels and criminal groups that operate across borders.

Williams praised officers for serving warrants at eight locations at the same time. Moreover, he said agencies had “no room for turf wars” during such investigations.

Instead, every level of law enforcement and prosecution worked together, Williams said. He then promised continued help from his office.

During the question-and-answer session, Willoughby discussed possible state and federal cases. Officials will continue deciding whether to file cases in state or federal court.

However, officials announced no federal indictments during Friday’s press conference.

Local, State and Federal Agencies Participated

Likewise, the Sheriff’s Office praised agencies for working across city and county lines.

The investigation included:

During the press conference, officials also thanked several other departments. They included the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Oxford Police Department and Glencoe Police Department.

Finally, Etowah County Sheriff Jonathon Horton thanked the investigators and partner agencies. Horton said strong partnerships help remove dangerous drugs from local communities.

Meanwhile, state and federal prosecutors continue reviewing the cases. As a result, the defendants could face additional charges as the investigation develops.

Sheriff’s Office Releases Full Statement

The Etowah County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement Saturday evening on its Facebook page:

MULTI-AGENCY DRUG TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATION

Yesterday morning, the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office hosted a press conference announcing the results of a four-month, multi-agency drug trafficking investigation targeting the distribution of dangerous narcotics in our community.

The investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately:

  • 1.25 pounds of fentanyl
  • 4 ounces of methamphetamine
  • 5 firearms
  • More than $8,700 in cash
  • 3 vehicles
  • Marijuana and a pill press

Multiple arrests were made, including several individuals facing drug trafficking charges.

This operation was a true example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together. The investigation involved the FBI – Birmingham Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency SBI, Blount County Sheriff’s Office, Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit, Gadsden Police Department, Marshall County Drug Enforcement Unit, Morgan County Drug Task Force, and Pell City Police Department.

Sheriff Horton thanked the investigators and agencies involved, emphasizing that strong partnerships and teamwork are critical to keeping dangerous drugs off our streets and making our communities safer.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges are possible.

All charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

#EtowahCountySheriffsOffice

Still, all charges are allegations. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Photo credit: All photographs used in this story were sourced from the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

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