By By BILL CRIST Publisher
Five Atmore residents were arrested and charged with drug crimes following a search of two residences by the 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force earlier this week.
The search yielded approximately 70 bags of powder cocaine as well as large amounts of crack cocaine and marijuana, according to Keith Hutchins with the Task Force.
On Wednesday, July 16, agents from the Task Force, deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff's Dept. and officers with the Atmore Police Dept. executed the warrants on two residences on Martinville Loop Road. As a result of those searches, five individuals were arrested.
Derick McCracken, 28, of Martinville Lane; Frankie McCracken, 22, of Martinville Lane; Tamara Grimes, 21, of Martinville Lane; Damien Jenkins, 24, of Martinville Lane and Jerrell Rogers, 24, of Carver Street were all arrested.
Derick McCracken and Grimes were each charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana (first degree) and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Frankie McCracken was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance (two counts), unlawful possession of marijuana (first degree) and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jenkins was charged with trafficking in cocaine, unlawful possession of marijuana (first degree) and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Rogers was charged with trafficking in cocaine, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana (first degree) and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
The 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force is comprised of the following law enforcement agencies; the Escambia County Sheriff's Dept., Atmore Police Dept., East Brewton Police Dept., Brewton Police Dept., Flomaton Police Dept., Escambia County District Attorney's office and the Escambia County Commission.
The Task Force received 75 percent of its funding from a grant funded by the Bureau of Justice Affairs division of the United States Dept. of Justice and which is administered by the Alabama Dept. of Economic and Community Affairs.
The remainder of the funding is provided by the Escambia County Sheriff's Department Atmore Police Department, Brewton Police Department and the Escambia County District Attorney's office.