by Aubrey Spears
Sat, September 28th 2024 at 10:38 PM
Updated Sat, September 28th 2024 at 10:39 PM
26 people arrested in Mobile Police operation targeting illegal drug sales (WPMI)
MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) — A three-month-long investigation has come to an end after the Mobile Police Department executed nine search warrants as part of Operation South Side surge this week.
As a result of the operation, twenty-six people were arrested. According to MPD, there are five outstanding targets that were not arrested during the operation.
The operation focused on the sale of illegal drugs on the south side of Mobile, including the Baltimore Street and Down the Bay areas. According to MPD, the operation was based on information and complaints from residents in the community.
One resident in the Baltimore Street neighborhood believes she saw officers conducting the operation.
“There was a lot of police around and I don’t know what’s really going on, but they were just across the street from my home,” she said.
During the operation, 580 grams of marijuana, twelve grams of cocaine, twelve grams of synthetic marijuana, thirteen grams of methamphetamine, seven firearms, and $32,366 were seized.
“I think they are really cracking down on drug activities and robberies lately. It is just bad,” said a local resident.
Mobile police arrested 5 “targets” who are charged with various drug-related crimes like unlawful possession and unlawful distribution of a controlled substance and more. The department also made twenty-one ancillary arrests. Despite all the arrests, residents say they do not feel like it will make much of a difference in the neighborhoods.
“I don’t even try to come outside or bring my kids out. So, I hang around the other side of town, which is Prichard. There has been a lot going on around here,” said a resident.
The search warrants were executed by the Narcotics and Vice Unit with help from SWAT, Canine Detail, Gang Intelligence, and the Tactical Intelligence Detail.