CULLMAN — Cullman County narcotics agents arrested an illegal immigrant Tuesday for allegedly trafficking meth and marijuana — seizing more than $100,000 worth of drugs in the process.
“This is truly one of those cases where we feel we have made a huge impact into drug trafficking in the area,” said Cullman County Sheriff Tyler Roden.
According to Cullman County Sheriff’s reports, Juan Manuel Rico, 22, of Berlin was arrested at a residence on County Road 1621. Recovered at the scene was approximately 47.5 pounds of marijuana worth about $95,000 and approximately 5.5 ounces of “ice,” which is a pure form of meth, worth about $15,400, as well as $2,500 in cash. Also seized were two vehicles, one of which had secret compartments investigators suspect were used to transport drugs.
“We have seized larger amounts (of drugs), but by taking Rico into custody, we’ve made an impact ... we know he was going to be involved in future efforts to bring drugs into the area,” Roden said.
Roden said if convicted, Rico would likely be deported after he served his prison sentence.
Roden said the arrest was the culmination of a nine-month Cullman Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) investigation.
“We found out about it just through our hotlines and community information,” said CNET Director Matt Gentry.
Roden said CNET investigators suspect the seized drugs did not originate in Cullman County.
“We believe these drugs were being trafficked in from an out of state location, where they were going to other locations, which are still under investigation,” Roden said. “It was part of a network of individuals bringing it in ... it’s the way it’s done throughout the nation, not just Cullman.”
Roden noted the case has not ended with Rico’s arrest.
“It’s still an active investigation ... we may be making more arrests,” Roden said. “Time will tell.”
Roden wanted to thank the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the Alabama State Trooper Felony Apprehension Team for their assistance in making the arrest.
Rico 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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