By By Janet Little Cooper
Three Atmore residents were arrested following a routine traffic stop on Jack Springs Road according to Drug Task Force agents.
Gregory Boyd Blackwell, 46 of 502 Blackwell Lane in Atmore and Franklin Duane Fails, 34 of Smith Dairy Road in Atmore were arrested on March 1 after agents searched their vehicle and found marijuana and precursor chemicals used to manufacture Methamphetamines.
The 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force assisted by officers from the Atmore Police Department executed a search warrant later that afternoon at the residence of Blackwell on 502 Blackwell Lane.
Officers arrested Mark Daniel Presley, 42 of 183 Horseshoe Circle in Atmore at the residence. A search of Blackwell's home uncovered a methamphetamine lab, drug paraphernalia and chemicals used in the manufacturing of Methamphetamines.
According to officials, an indoor Marijuana growth was seized and numerous items used to grow Marijuana.
Blackwell was charged with Unlawful manufacturing and distribution of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of Marijuana 2nd and drug paraphernalia.
Fails was charged with unlawful manufacturing and distribution of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of Marijuana 2nd and drug paraphernalia.
Presley was charged with unlawful manufacturing and distribution of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
The three arrest were the result of a 10 – month investigation by the Drug Task Force. The 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force is comprised of numerous law enforcement agencies, which include, Escambia County Sheriffs Department, Atmore Police Department, East Brewton Police Department, Brewton Police Department, Flomaton Police Department, Escambia County District Attorney's Office and the Escambia County Commission.
The Task Force receives 75 percent of its funding from a grant funded by the Bureau of Justice Affairs Division of the United States Department of Justice which is administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
The Escambia County Sheriff's Department, Atmore Police Department, Brewton Police Department and the Escambia County District Attorney's Office provide the remainder of the funding.