4 arrested, ‘large amount’ of cocaine seized at MLK house
By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Three Atmore men and an Auburn man were arrested last Thursday, January 9, after a raid by Atmore police narcotics investigators led to the seizure of what police said was a “large amount” of cocaine, along with small amounts of two other illicit substances, at a house on Martin Luther King Drive.
Sgt. Darrell McMann, APD’s media officer, said APD drug officers hit the jackpot shortly after 7 p.m. when they executed a search warrant at the house. The raid marked the conclusion of an investigation that was launched into the goings-on there after police received several complaints that drug activity was being conducted at the house.
“The search warrant was based on citizen complaints and surveillance,” McMann said.
Police reports show the raid yielded an undisclosed, but “large amount” of cocaine, along with undisclosed quantities of synthetic cannabis (Spice) and natural cannabis.
Arrested were Rodderick Lee (49), Machael Martin (57) and Joey Wiggins (47), all of Atmore, along with 49-year-old Marcus Giddens of Auburn. It is not known whether Giddens brought the cocaine to Atmore or was buying some to take home with him.
Each suspect was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center (ECDC) on one count each of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
All four men remained in the ECDC Monday morning, January 13.
Asked for more details on the drug operation, McMann said he was not at liberty to discuss the case any farther.
“Everything else will be revealed in court proceedings,” the city detective said.