Thread: AL: Alleged illegal alien faces drug charges

Alleged illegal alien faces drug charges
Posted: Friday, September 24, 2010 3:48 pm

Mark Harrison | 0 comments

A Sylvania man, suspected of being in the country illegally, faces multiple drug-related charges.

Luis Santiago Villa, 35 of Sylvania and previously of Durango, Mexico, is charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Sheriff Jimmy Harris said additional charges related to drug distribution would likely also be brought against Villa.

Harris said Villa's arrest is the culmination of a joint investigation, carried out by DeKalb County Drug Task Force agents and the Sylvania officers, into suspected drug activity at Villa's home on County Road 210.

He said agents, deputies and Sylvania officers obtained a warrant to search the home on Wednesday, resulting in the seizure of about 15 grams of "blue" meth, also known as "Smurf dope." Typically, this is meth colored with ground-up, blue chalk to indicate a level of "purity."

Harris said it's believed Villa was previously deported from the country and may have an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer in place.

This is when ICE flags an illegal immigrant in custody of another law enforcement agency because they have probable cause to believe an immigration law has been violated. When the person finishes his or her sentence, ICE agents pick him or her up to begin deportation proceedings.

At this time, Villa is being held in the DeKalb County Jail without bond.

http://times-journal.com

Yet the local snoozepaper insists on calling him a "Sylvania man".