OFFICERS, K-9 MAKING DENT IN DRUG TRAFFIC

After stopping a suspicious vehicle for speeding near Patton Island
bridge, investigators Brad Holmes and Shane Blalock noticed the
unmistakable smell of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.

While a small amount of marijuana was found in the interior of the
car, the officers made a strange discovery with the help of Florence's
K-9 unit.

"We called Keith (Robinson), and he brought his K-9, Dante, who found
a brick of marijuana under the hood in the engine part of the car,"
Holmes said.

Holmes said the team was able to confiscate a quarter-pound of
marijuana, as well as a large sum of cash, and arrest two suspects for
first-degree possession of marijuana.

Florence Police Chief Rick Singleton said it was just the latest
arrest for the narcotics team of Holmes, Blalock and Bennie Johnson.

The team was created two months ago to concentrate on small,
street-level drug crimes.

"The Lauderdale County Drug Task Force is working on many major cases,
and a lot of the smaller cases were getting pushed to the
back-burner," Singleton said. "We were really starting to have a problem."

Singleton said drugs are responsible for creating other crimes in the
city, such as burglaries and robberies, which is why it is important
to eliminate the drug problem.

"Approximately 85 to 95 percent of crimes in our city are
drug-related, so we've got to contribute more resources to drug
enforcement on a permanent basis," Singleton said.

To combat the drug problem in the city, the three investigators were
pulled from their normal duties to concentrate on narcotics.

Singleton said the new team has been successful. "A good indicator is
that we've heard some of the dopers from surrounding counties are
refusing to come to Florence to do their business," he said.

The officers said they are happy to investigate narcotics because it
helps keep drugs out of the hands of children.

"I felt with my experience and knowledge that I could help make a
change in the community as far as the drug problem, to help make
Florence one of the safest cities in the country," Johnson said.

Blalock said he had experience working with narcotics in Marion
County, and he has enjoyed investigating drug cases in Florence.

"I've been on the road for eight years, but narcotics is one thing I'm
comfortable working with," Blalock said.

Since December, the team has brought in more than 100 cases and made
numerous arrests.

Holmes said his team has arrested suspects from Lauderdale, Colbert,
Franklin and Lawrence counties in Alabama, and also from Tennessee,
Mississippi and Florida.

"Our ability to function has only been made possible because of senior
agents who have been with the task force for a number of years,"
Holmes said. "We are also very fortunate to have drug-sniffing K-9s."

Holmes, Johnson and Blalock said they are trying to send a message to
drug users in the county.

"We are going to attack the problem and show our presence because we
are working 24-7," Holmes said. "If you deal drugs, we will take your
money, your property and your vehicles."