Local News
Accused drug dealer arrested on more charges
By Patrick McCrelessAn accused local drug dealer is being held on bond for more than $1 million after he allegedly fled the county to escape new drug charges.
Cullman County Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) agents arrested Thomas Michael Barnett, 54 of Hanceville, Friday for two counts of unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance and two counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. Thomas had been out on bond for a January arrest on three counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.
Barnett was arrested on warrants for the latest drug charges during a traffic stop on County Road 109 in the Dodge City area.
“CNET got information he was possibly in the area,” said Chief Deputy Tony Quick of the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office. “He had relocated to another county. He had moved to, we believe, flee these warrants.”
The latest charges stemmed from Barnett’s arrest in January, Quick said.
During a search of Barnett’s residence in January, CNET agents allegedly recovered some OxyContin pills. According to sheriff’s reports, agents had investigated Barnett’s alleged dealings in OxyContin and Loratab pills for two months prior to the arrest.
Both Loratab and OxyContin are prescribed to treat various levels of pain and in recent years have become more prevalent in Cullman County as street drugs.
Quick said agents also found evidence of a possible meth lab at the scene. However, the agents did not charge him with the meth crime at the time because they wanted to make sure they indeed had a lab.
“By the time they finished their investigation and got warrants, he had moved,” Quick said.
Barnett is incarcerated at the Cullman County Detention Center.
Unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance is a Class A felony, punishable by up to life in prison. Unlawful distribution of a controlled substance is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
‰ Patrick McCreless can be reached by e-mail at patrickm@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.
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