Cocaine bust turns up cash
Published 11:48 am Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Brewton police arrested one man and are searching for another suspect in connection with a drug trafficking case they broke Saturday evening.
Sgt. Andrew Casey with the Brewton Police Narcotics Division said the arrest was the result of an investigation alleging the delivery of drugs — specifically cocaine — to the Brewton area.
Carlton Lewis Avery, 27, of Lafayette, was arrested by officers and is facing charges of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (crack/cocaine) and trafficking of drugs (cocaine).
Another suspect, Jaquan Monte Powell, also of Lafayette, is wanted in connection with the drug trafficking incident, Casey said.
“We had gotten information that Avery was bringing illegal narcotics, such as cocaine, into the Brewton area,” Casey said. “Agents with our department had been investigating that allegation and observed Avery on the evening of June 29 in what was believed to be a narcotics transaction.”
Casey said the location of the suspected transaction between Avery and another subject was on Liles Boulevard.
“The agents saw Avery arrive at the location in a sliver Mazda car and exit the car,” Casey said. “They then observed Avery making a delivery of a large amount of crack/cocaine. As the agents apprehended Avery, the driver of the vehicle escaped by driving through a yard and nearly hitting one of the narcotics officers.”
In a search after Avery was apprehended, officers located a large amount of crack/cocaine and $1,600 in cash, Casey said.
“We were able to locate the vehicle in a neighborhood close to the scene but we were not able to locate the drive,” Casey said. “We have been able to get an identification on him and we are in the process of obtaining warrants for his arrest.”
Due to the amount of crack/cocaine that was seized in the incident, Avery is facing one count of trafficking in drugs in addition to the charge of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.
Avery was being held at the Escambia County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing on Tuesday, officials said. No bond information was available as of press time.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Powell is asked to contact the Brewton Police Department at 867-3212.