Search warrant leads to 3 arrested, over a pound of drugs found

LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — Three people were arrested after a search warrant was executed at a home in Lauderdale County on Thursday.

According to the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), agents with the Lauderdale County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 1837 County Road 38 in the Greenhill area.

LCSO says that the targeted home was under surveillance before the search warrant was carried out. While the Florence/Lauderdale Special Operations Team was on the way to go inside the home, the main suspect of the search warrant left the home in a vehicle.

After a traffic stop was conducted, deputies identified the driver of the vehicle as Kelby Dwight Pettus and the passenger of the vehicle as Colby Wayne Jones.

LCSO tells News 19 that Jones had an active felony warrant for his arrest. Jones was arrested without incident while Pettus was taken back to his home to complete the search warrant.

While other deputies were focused on stopping Pettus’ vehicle, the Florence/Lauderdale Special Operations Team was able to get into Pettus’ home. While entering the home, authorities found Daniel Aaron Bracey inside.

LCSO says the search for the home turned up about 576 grams (over a pound) of methamphetamine, 10 grams of white powder suspected to be a fentanyl powder mixed with a cutting agent, and drug paraphernalia.

According to deputies, the fentanyl powder had an inconclusive field test for fentanyl due to being heavily diluted with a cutting agent.

The substance will be sent to a lab for further testing and additional charges for trafficking in fentanyl are expected to be added at a later time. LCSO says that the street value of the drugs is worth around $17,000.

41-year-old Kelby Dwight Pettus, of Florence, was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine (ICE) and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

36-year-old Daniel Aaron Bracey, of Florence, was charged with unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

30-year-old Colby Wayne Jones, of Florence was arrested on a bench warrant.

The Florence Police Department, Florence Police K-9 unit, and the Lauderdale County District Attorney’s Office all assisted during the incident.

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