Several suspects arrested, firearms confiscated in drug bust

PRICHARD, Ala. (WALA) - Mobile County Sheriff's Officials said what started out as a search of two homes in Prichard ended in the arrest of 13 people Thursday, February 21.

Authorities said they netted everything from crack to spice to guns, even a bullet proof vest stolen from a U.S. Marshal.

THE SCENE

Sheriff's deputies donning helmets and vests joined Prichard Police and the U.S. Marshal's Office in raiding the homes on Thomas Avenue and Margie Street.

Sheriff Sam Cochran said they confiscated crack cocaine and spice, as well as other items.

Cochran said, "We also recovered a number of various firearms in those houses, and we also recovered a bullet proof vest that had been stolen from a U.S. Marshal Deputy in Mobile in a burglary to an automobile back in October 2012."

A WOMAN AT ONE HOME TALKS TO FOX10

Ashley Ross, a woman at the home on Thomas Avenue told FOX10 she wanted to know what happened to $4,000 that was missing after the raid:  money she said wasn't connected to illegal activity.

"It's synthetic weed. It's nothing wrong. We're not doing anything wrong to, I'm saying, to harm our community," she said.

SHERIFF ON CONDITIONS AT ONE HOME

As for the condition of the home on Thomas Avenue, Sheriff Cochran said, "This residence was just a filthy residence, with even mice running around in the house. Two babies were found in the house. When the deputies arrived at the house and entered, all the adults ran to a back room, leaving one child on the floor of the living room where drugs were rampant."

Ross said there are bigger things to worry about.

Ross said, "You all are too busy worrying about drugs, instead of worrying about the school system and things we should be worried about."

HELP FROM TIPS

Sheriff Cochran said information for the case came from the crime tips page on the sheriff's office website.