10 arrested in west Alabama gun and drug operation
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Ten suspects in a Tuscaloosa County drug and gun ring could face prison without the chance of parole.
The Tuscaloosa News reports (http://bit.ly/2p43s2c ) local and federal authorities on Thursday announced the 61-count federal indictment. The defendants have an average of at least seven previous arrests.
West Alabama Narcotics Task Force commander Capt. Wayne Robertson says the arrests busted a "somewhat violent organization." Tuscaloosa County Sheriff Ron Abernathy says that local authorities reached out to federal agents to ensure long sentences for those convicted.
The suspects are charged in connection with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine between December 2016 and March 2017. Federal agents say the syndicate operated in multiple states, and that this was the first round of arrests connected to the investigation.
It's unclear if the 10 charged have lawyers.