First time through Cullman

On May 13^th and 14^th, the ALETR held our signature event as we carried the “Flame of Hope” across Alabama and into the City of Troy for the 2010 Special Olympics of Alabama State Games. This one event brought together over 150 personnel from over 40 different law enforcement agencies. After starting the Torch Run in Decatur on the morning of May 13^th, we held legs of the Run in Hartselle, Cullman and Birmingham. After an overnight stay in the Pelham, the Torch Run continued through Pelham, Montgomery and then on to Troy. Law enforcement then proudly represented their agencies as they wore their uniforms into the Opening Ceremony at the football stadium at Troy University. I want to thank everyone who helped make this the best State Run ever!

May 21st - 25th 2009

2-Unlawful Possession  of Controlled Substance (Meth).

21-Vehicles Towed

Thousands of Marijuana plants discovered growing in county

Local and state authorities shut down a large and sophisticated marijuana-growing operation Monday in a rural, wooded area of Cullman County — seizing more than 2,300 plants in the process.

“There have been some bigger ones in years past ... some with more plants and some with plants 15 feet tall,” he said.

     While on  routine patrol a Cullman County Sheriff’s deputy Tuesday morning led to the discovery of more than 100 pounds of marijuana.  Juan Reynaldo Castillo, 32 of Mercedes, Texas was arrested at the truck stop near the 291 exit on Highway 91 on a charge of trafficking in marijuana.  Cpl. Jason Allen had just begun his patrol around 4 a.m. when he noticed suspicious activity at the truck stop.  When he was doing a routine security check, he noticed an 18-wheeler and a car parked next to it behind the gas station, He noticed people moving from the truck to the car and felt it was suspicious.   When Allen pulled around to where the individuals were located, he noticed Castillo walking around the truck and two other men running away from the scene.  He takes Castillo into custody and then notices in the immediate area a bundle of some type of drug.  Once backup arrived at the scene, deputies conducted a further search of the area and discovered 10 bundles of marijuana, six of which were in the truck of the suspect car. Together, the bundles weighed 119.7 pounds and were worth a total of $239,400.  We do not know where it (marijuana) was going to go.  Some of the bundles were found in the 18-wheeler, which Castillo had driven to Cullman.  There was also some legitimate merchandise of cell phones in the trailer.   We have no reason at this time to think the trucking company was involved. They just had a driver taking advantage of the situation.  The two suspects who escaped from the crime scene have yet to be identified.  The car comes back to being from a neighboring county, But we’re not sure if the owner of the vehicle was one of the two men running from the scene.   Allen did his duty as he was expected to do.  It was just a great job on his part for being alert and conscientious.  Castillo is incarcerated at the Cullman County Detention Center.  According to Alabama Code, a person convicted of trafficking between 100 and 500 pounds of marijuana shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum five-year prison sentence and a $50,000 fine.