Marijuana case yields 2 arrests
Published 11:48 pm Wednesday, November 9, 2005
By By LYDIA GRIMES – Features writer
Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the confiscation of 306 pounds of marijuana seized on Oct. 28.
According to Keith Hutchins, commander of the 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force, Phillip Powell, 31, of P.O. 621, Monroeville, and Gregory Thomas Williams, 29, of 1063 Druid Hills Drive, Montgomery, were arrested and have been charged with trafficking in marijuana in connection with the case involving Patrick Eugene Bruce, 27, of Brewton.
In the early morning hours of Oct. 28, the Brewton Police Department made a routine traffic stop on Belleville Avenue. When the driver fled the scene on foot, tracking dogs from Fountain Prison near Atmore were called to the scene.
Shortly after the vehicle was stopped and the search began, the vehicle was reported stolen from the Montgomery area.
Officers investigated locations the vehicle had been spotted earlier in the evening, confiscating 306 pounds of marijuana valued at approximately $500,000.
Bruce was arrested at that time and the investigation continued to discover others who might be involved. According to a statement made by Brewton Police Chief Monte McGougin, the drug bust was quite possibly the largest recovery of compressed marijuana ever made in Escambia County (Ala.).