Local News
Man accused of trafficking ‘ice’ in town
By Patrick McCrelessCullman narcotics agents recently arrested a local man for allegedly trafficking methamphetamine through the county.
Jose Rigoberto Garcia, 26, of the Sardis community was arrested May 19 on one felony count of trafficking meth during a traffic stop on Alabama Highway 157 in West Point.
During a search of Garcia’s vehicle, Cullman Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) agents allegedly recovered 59 grams of “ice,” which is meth in its pure form. The drugs had a total street value of $5,900.
“But they can mix it (ice) with other types of ingredients and make more and increase the street value,” said Cullman County Sheriff Tyler Roden.
According to the Alabama Code of Law, a person can be charged with meth trafficking if he or she possesses at least 28 grams of the drug.
Cullman Sheriff Tyler Roden said deputies later searched Garcia’s residence on County Road 1038, where they seized $2,080 in cash and an SKS assault rifle.
Roden said Garcia’s arrest stemmed from a two-week investigation conducted by CNET agents.
“Based on the investigation, they knew Garcia was involved in selling meth in Cullman County,” Roden said. “They knew he was in possession of meth when they stopped him.”
Roden noted investigators were still trying to learn where Garcia obtained the drugs and where he was taking them before his arrest. He added that a continuing investigation into Garcia’a activities could lead to future arrests.
Any person convicted of delivering between 28 and 500 grams of meth in Alabama will face a mandatory minimum of three years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
Garcia is incarcerated at the Cullman County Detention Center on a $1 million bond.
‰ Patrick McCreless can be reached by e-mail at patrickm@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.
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