Drug roundup nets 18

The Demopolis Police Department conducted a drug roundup Tuesday morning, arresting 18 individuals as part of what has been dubbed Operation Gemini.

“We’ve got numerous arrests forthcoming,” Demopolis Police Department Chief Tommie Reese said, noting that officers are still executing warrants on other individuals who have yet to be apprehended.

Operation Gemini began 14 months ago and involved the collaborative efforts of the Demopolis Police Department, the 17th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, the Marengo County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Beverage Control Board, the 4th Circuit Drug Task Force and the Selma Police Department.

Reese said arrests in the operation span from parts all the way to the southern portion of Marengo County. Reese said one individual arrested Tuesday was in possession of drugs at the time of his apprehension.

Arrests made Monday included Robert Johnson, Brenda Lee Harris, Jennifer Clair Martin, Willie Washington, Juan Tino McClain, Brad Andrew Braxton, Gregory Hildreth, Loyd Ahmad Hammad, Willie Barnett, Juan Demetric Huitt, Marcus Jermaine McKinley, Syler Montrelle Daniels, Eric Maurice Elmore, Kevin Lamont Shaw, Otis Collier Jr., Beverly Thrasher, Ernest Glenn Bryant and Travis Wesley.

All individuals were charged with varying counts of distribution of a controlled substance. Wahsington also faces charges of possession of marijuana first degree and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Reese expressed his gratitude to each participating agency for its involvement in the success of the operation.