By Nathan Prewett
For the Tribune
BIRMINGHAM — Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale held a press conference at the headquarters on Reverend Abraham Blvd. in Birmingham where he discussed several men who were arrested for drug trafficking with cooperation from state and local authorities. The men were arrested in Brighton, Village Springs in the Palmerdale area, Huffman and Center Point.
Hale spoke from a podium behind three tables displaying materials seized by police during the raids. One table showed cash from trafficking activities while the middle table showed various illegally owned firearms. The third table displayed different types of drugs including opioids and hydrocodone.
During the raids deputies seized heroin, methamphetamine, ecstasy, cocaine, and marijuana in addition to hydrocodone. 17 firearms were also seized.
“These are local drug houses that citizens have called in,” he said. “There is an opioid crisis in this country and we’re committed, not just as an office, but we work with our federal partners to make safe communities.”
In recent times, law enforcement agencies along with the government at both the state and federal levels have been cracking down on the distribution of opioids. On Feb. 6, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that he would be filing a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma, an opioid manufacturer that Hale said was over-prescribing the medication.
“I think what the attorney general is doing is great,” he told the Tribune. “I think as much pressure on the state and local level like myself – I want them to get the message not to over-prescribe. It’s unfair to send those drugs into our communities.”
Various cities, including Trussville, have taken part in the lawsuit. The use of opioids has been declared a crisis in Alabama and at a national level by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Hale said that the recent drug raids by the sheriff’s office were conducted with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. He said that U.S. District Attorney Jay Town has been assisting in the cases.
“We’re not just sitting and admiring our 37 percent decrease in crime in unincorporated area of Jefferson County,” he said. “We intend to give relief to the whole county.”
Pierre Brown of Brighton was charged with trafficking heroin, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana. Federal firearms charges against him are pending.
The man arrested in Center Point was Deshaun Daniels, a resident of the city. He was charged with trafficking heroin, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of marijuana.
Carlos Roscoe of Birmingham was arrested in Huffman. He was charged with Trafficking Hydrocodone, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. Federal firearms charges against him are pending.
Edward Lawson of Palmerdale was arrested in Village Springs and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Marijuana. He also has firearms charges pending.