News Releases

Multi-Agency Raid in Prichard Disrupts Escalation of Crime and Violence

Feb 24th, 2016

The escalation of crime and violence in Prichard will be disrupted as the Mobile Police Department and Prichard Police Department join forces to arrest the city's most violent individuals. Today, in a multi-agency raid called ‘Operation Spring Cleaning' arrest warrants were executed for multiple individuals as well as search warrants on several residences where illegal drug activity has been taking place.

Communities in Prichard have been suffering from the detrimental effects of the drug-related activities. By apprehending the targeted individuals causing the crime and violence and by seizing the drugs, authorities believe there will be a significant reduction in the availability of illegal narcotics and the violence that is associated with it.

Carrying out the operation included the Mobile County Street Enforcement Narcotics Team (MCSENT), Prichard Police Department, MPD Narcotics Unit, MPD SWAT, U.S. Marshalls Gang Task Force, and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)/State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). All have been engaged in the effort to stop the sales of drugs in the city of Prichard that fuel and fund the ongoing violence.

Additionally, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) was airborne during the operation to assist with spotting the targets and providing other support as needed.

At the conclusion of Operation Spring Cleaning this afternoon, six search warrants were executed and police made 20 arrests, consisting of 24 felonies and 10 misdemeanors.

Items confiscated were approximately 159 grams of marijuana, 22 grams of crack cocaine, 8 grams of cocaine powered, 3 grams analog marijuana as well as 112 prescription pills, 6 firearms, and $3,866 in U.S. currency.

Planning for Operation Spring Cleaning consisted of a six-month investigation, and included ALEA/SBI and MCSENT making controlled buys of narcotics to identify the suspects.

The following people were arrested (age and charge listed):

1. Michael Edward, 37 — Distribution of Controlled Substance
2. Demetrius Drake, 26 — Distribution of Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance (Cocaine 3g Crack)
3. Kenneth Blackwell, 60 — Distribution of Controlled Substance
4. Robert White, 31 — Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
5. Shametrica Drake, 23 — Distribution of Controlled Substance
6. Kendall Williams, 30 — Distribution of Controlled Substance
7. Wazetta Campbell, 59 — Distribution of Controlled Substance, Marijuana 2nd Degree
8. Anthony Burrell, 60 — Distribution of Controlled Substance (2 warrants)
9. Raven Smith, 30 — Marijuana 2nd Degree, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
10. Marcus Henry, 37 — Possession with Intent to Distribute, No Pistol Permit, Marijuana 2nd Degree, Possession of Controlled Substance (Xanax)
11. Dorne Moppins, 34 — Loitering for the Purpose of Drug Activity
12. Earl Apkins, 35 — Loitering for the Purpose of Drug Activity
13. Carlos Catlin, 28 — Certain Persons Forbidden to Carry a Firearm, Possession of Altered Firearm, Marijuana 2nd Degree
14. Tyshane Harcum, 20 — Possession of Controlled Substance (Xanax), Marijuana 1st Degree
15. Kelvin Vail, 25 — Possession of Controlled Substance (Cocaine)
16. Ike Pickett, 21 — Possession of Controlled Substance (Xanax), Marijuana 1st Degree
17. Ladalron Catlin, 25 — Distribution of Controlled Substance
18. Mark Williams, 48 — Possession of Controlled Substance (Tramadol), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
19. Dewayne Adams, 38 — Possession of Controlled Substance (Analog Marijuana), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (pending)


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Charlette Solis
Mobile Police Department
Public Affairs Officer
251-208-1918