PRESS RELEASE/DRUG TRAFFICKING ARREST / Thursday August 25th

(Etowah County, Alabama) Two individuals have been arrested with drug charges in Etowah County.

According to Sheriff Jonathon Horton, 42 year old Jason Howard Mayes of Gadsden, is charged with Drug Trafficking/Methamphetamine), and Drug Trafficking/Heroin), in addition to Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Suboxone), and Receiving Stolen Property Second Degree (Firearm).  Meanwhile, Amber Grace Machen, 29, also of Gadsden, is charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Heroin)

On Tuesday, the Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit had initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by Mayes and Machen on Cleveland Avenue in Attalla – and during the course of the stop, law enforcement recovered more than a quarter of a pound of Methamphetamine and approximately 7 grams of Heroin, along with Suboxone and a handgun which was reported stolen out of Florida.   Additional narcotics were found on both suspect’s person.  Jason Howard Mayes was arrested and is in the Etowah County Detention Center on a $407,000 property bond.  Amber Grace Machen was arrested and is being held in the Etowah County Detention Center on a $1,500 property bond.

The Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit, Gadsden Police Department, Etowah County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI North Alabama Criminal Enterprise Task Force, all took part in the case.