INDICTMENT 'ROUND-UP'

Agencies Combine In One-Day Search For 71 Suspects

It was simply a show of force. A sign to area drug dealers, meth producers
and drug users that area law enforcement agencies are for real.

"When I came into office I promised to cause those involved in drugs as
much grief as they cause area families," Fulmer said. "With today's events
we are doing that."

Fulmer made those comments Friday while an estimated 30 agents from the
Chilton County Sheriff's Department, Central Alabama Drug Task Force and
the Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board Enforcement Division were out
serving indictments and making arrests. The agents were taking part in a
one-day "round-up" of suspects indicted during the recent Chilton County
Grand Jury. Fulmer said agents were looking for 71 suspects.

"When we get done here today that does not mean we are not going to
continue looking for the ones we missed," Fulmer said. "My deputies and
these agents are well-trained and will continue their hunt for these
suspects and make sure they are served their indictments."

The indictments are the culmination of nearly six months of undercover work
by the three agencies, in which cases were made against drug dealers and
meth lab producers.

Although not all of the indictments being served were drug-related, a
majority of them were.

"We have our problems like any other county," Fulmer said. "But we are
making a difference and proving to the drug dealers that we are going to
make their lives very, very tough."

Chief Roy Hoffman with the ABC Board Enforcement Division was on hand
Friday and was pleased with the results of the "round-up."

"This breaks up the routine for my agents and allows them to get out into
the field to make these arrests," Hoffman said. "We have a great
relationship with the Chilton County Sheriff's Department and the Central
Alabama Drug Task Force and today is proof positive of what that working
relationship can do."

At the end of the day, agents had arrested 28 adults and two juveniles.

"It was a pretty successful day," Fulmer said. "But we are going to keep
looking for the others. We'll get them eventually."

Fulmer added another solution that would take drug dealers off the streets
and save the tax payers some money, although he didn't think it would happen.

"Just tell the drug dealers to come in and see if we have any warrants for
them," Fulmer said smiling. "That way we don't have to go out and look for
them. We could do something else.

"I don't think they'll make it that easy on us."

There were over 100 additional drug cases that were held over from the past
grand jury that will be heard in the Fall session. The next grand jury is
scheduled for September.