By By SHERRY DIGMON
Advance Staff Writer
Eight area residents were arrested in two days by agents with the 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force.
Keith Kyles of Atmore was charged with trafficking in cocaine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Kyles, 27, was arrested Thursday, July 12, as the result of an investigation under way since August 2000.
Task Force agents executed a search warrant at Kyles's residence, 202 Perdido Street, and recovered more than 29 grams of powder cocaine, two assault rifles and more than $2,000 in cash.
Twenty-nine grams of cocaine, between one-quarter and one-half pound, has a street value of about $3,000.
The next day, Friday the 13th, proved unlucky for seven Brewton and Andalusia residents who were arrested when agents with the task force, along with agents from the ABC Board and deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office, executed a search warrant at 950 Dixon Nursery Road in Brewton.
Agents seized a marijuana plant, packaged marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Arrested were:
Ricky Jerome Padgett, 25, Andalusia, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia;
Steven Wayne Padgett, 37, Andalusia, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia;
Bobby Miles Powell, 31, Andalusia, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia;
Chaolette Botello Perez, 34, Brewton, hindering prosecution first degree, obstructing a governmental operation;
Tracey Gibson Williamson, 26, Brewton, hindering prosecution first degree, obstructing a governmental operation;
Leo Gibson, 55, Brewton, unlawful possession of marijuana first degree, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia;
Nicholas Frazier, 21, unlawful possession of controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana first degree.
The 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force is comprised of the following law enforcement agencies: Escambia County Sheriff's Office, Atmore Police Department, East Brewton Police Department, Brewton Police Department, Flomaton Police Department, Poarch Creek Indian Police Department, Escambia County District Attorney's Office and the Escambia County Commission.