By By LYDIA GRIMES Features writer
Local law enforcement agents arrested two men on drug charges and seized illegal drugs with an approximate street value of $10,000 Wednesday.
Officers arrested Javores Lamont Griggs, 27, of 6860 Gilford AvenueAve., Century, Fla., after they received a tip of his location. Officers found Griggs at 1124 Martin Luther King Drive in Flomaton and took him into custody. Agents said Griggs had outstanding warrants for his arrest in Escambia County, Fla.
Chris Carter, 28, of 7105 Jefferson Street, Century, Fla., who was at the residence when officers arrived, as also was charged.
While at the residence, officers discovered illegal narcotics consisting of approximately five pounds of marijuana, two ounces of powder cocaine and crack cocaine and a handgun.
Agents from the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force, investigators from both the Escambia County, Ala., and Escambia County, Fla., Sheriff's Offices from Alabama and Florida along with agents from the United StateU.S. Customs Service conducted the investigation and arrest charges.
"This guy has been featured on 'Crime Stoppers' in Pensacola," Task Force Commander. Keith Hutchins said.
"This is approximately $10,000 worth of drugs that have been taken off the streets," Hutchins said.
Griggs was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, trafficking marijuana, trafficking cocaine, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and is being held for Escambia County, Fla.
Carter was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, trafficking marijuana, trafficking cocaine, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest.
In a separate incident, the 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force made another arrest on Thursday, May 19.
PLANTS SEIZED
With the help of investigators with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office, officers from the Alabama Conservation of Game and Fish, an officer with the U.S. Forestry Service and agents with the U.S. Customs Services, an investigation was conducted into the cultivation of marijuana plants.
As a result of the investigation, approximately 90 marijuana plants were seized by agents, and one subject identified as Jordan Patrick Veleuas, 33, of 4471 Morningside Lane, Milton, Fla., was arrested and charged with unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of marijuana, first degree.
According to Hutchins, the subject was camped out in the woods where he was growing the marijuana. He was well equipped with camping gear, MRE meals, bug spray and a watering system, Hutchins said.
The 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Force is comprised of the following law enforcement agencies: Escambia County Sheriffs Department, Atmore Police Department, East Brewton Police Department, Brewton Police Department, Flomaton Police Department, the Escambia County District Attorney's office and the Escambia County Commission.
The Task Force receives 75 percent of its funding from a grant funded by the Bureau of Justice Affairs Division of the United States Department of Justice and which is administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The remainder of the funding is provided by the Escambia County Sheriff's Department, Atmore Police Department, Brewton Police Department and the Escambia County District Attorney's office.