8 jailed in drug, theft sting

Published 5:00 am Wednesday, January 27, 2016

E.B. police hit 2 apartments

At least eight people were arrested last week in conjunction with an alleged drug and home burglary operation in East Brewton.

East Brewton Police Chief Kenny Brazile said Monday the suspects were identified and arrested Thurs., Jan. 21, after the department received complaints about suspected drug activity at a set of Harrison Avenue apartments.

“We took that information and launched a controlled buy operation,” Brazile said.

“After doing surveillance of the property, we were able to obtain and execute two search warrants simultaneously on two different apartments,” he said.

“During that exercise, we discovered that one of the residences housed stolen items from at least two local burglaries. Both residences contained various items associated with the distribution and possession of marijuana.

“As a result, six adults and two juveniles were taken into custody,” he said.

Those involved face a host of charges including distribution, possession, burglary, theft of property and criminal mischief.

“At this point, we continue to investigate the connection with other local burglaries,” Brazile said. “We’d also like to ask anyone that purchased items such as firearms, jewelry and coins from our suspects to contact our department.”

Brazile said a number of items have been recovered; however, others remain unrecovered.

Arrested were two juveniles and:

• Shaunathon Qualls;

• Ashley Daw;

• Brandon Qualls;

• Michael Adams;

• Amber Adams; and,

• James Mooney.

The adults were booked into the Escambia County Jail and later released on bond.