The Etowah County Drug Task Force has seized more than 100 pounds of marijuana, resulting in two arrests, according to a press release Thursday from the Etowah County Sheriff’s Department.
“Arrested were Hunter Epps Waters, 22, of Trussville and Hernandez Soto, 36, of Birmingham and both were charged with trafficking marijuana,” Sheriff Todd Entrekin said. “Waters was in possession of approximately 45 pounds of the narcotic and Soto in possession of approximately 50 pounds, according to Etowah authorities.”
A third suspect was also in possession of approximately 15 pounds of marijuana. His case will be presented to the Grand Jury, the release said.
“Marijuana of this weight was transported to the United States from Mexico,” Entrekin said. “Investigating drug agents say the narcotic was brought into the area over a one year period.”
Waters and Soto are currently being held in the Etowah County Detention Center. Waters has a $10,000 property bond. Soto’s bond has been set at $50,000 cash. Soto is considered a flight risk.
Additional charges are expected
.
According to The Gadsden Times, Waters and Soto were arrested about an hour apart following the investigation. The Times story said the street value of the drugs was about $250,000.
The full Gadsden Times story and photos can be seen here.