Officers with the Atmore Police Department and the 21st Judicial Task Force made their 17th drug arrest of the year Friday, putting an Atmore man already on probation back in jail on multiple drug charges.

Christopher Knighten, 29, was arrested after APD responded to a domestic dispute in progress at a home located at 102 Bream Street, lot six.

Atmore Police Officer Sean Golden said the incident lead to a search of the home that turned up evidence that brought the charges.

“We had a call of a domestic dispute in progress,” Golden said. “We arrested Knighten and the female subject gave us permission to search the home.”

That search, Golden said, ended with officers uncovering a stockpile of illegal narcotics hidden under a bathtub through the unit’s maintenance access panel.

Golden, assisted by APD officers Isaac Lopez and Craig Penn, said the search uncovered 2.3 ounces of marijuana, an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine and pills, including Lortab, Soma and Oxycotton.

Golden said “several items of drug paraphernalia” were also found at the home.

DTF Agent Scott Walden said Knighten will now face charges of first-degree possession of marijuana, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.

Knighten was booked into the Atmore Jail before being transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.

Golden said the female subject “cooperated with law enforcement” and would not face charges.

Golden also cautioned that anyone currently involved with drug related activities in the Atmore area should be aware that officers with APD and the DTF are actively pursuing tips that may lead to arrests.

“We have been receiving information about other activity and will be out in the community,” he said.

Golden also said that anyone with any information about drug related activities is strongly encouraged to call Atmore Police Department at 368-9141.