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More than a pound of ice discovered

RUSSELLVILLE -- Franklin County Sheriff Larry Plott said through the cooperative efforts of law enforcement agencies in Franklin and Colbert counties, there should be "less ice this winter.''

Plott wasn't referring to the frozen precipitation, but to the purer form of crystal methamphetamine that is becoming more prevalent.

In the past week, agencies from the two counties have worked together and made five drug-related arrests, seized 42 ounces of ice and $27,000 in cash.

The drugs have an estimated street value of more than $143,000.

Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said that on Thursday members of his department, the Franklin and Colbert sheriff departments and the Franklin Special Response Team executed a search warrant at 100 Washington Plaza Apartment 242.

Hargett said Alejandro Cruz Carbajal, 23, 100 Washington Plaza, Apartment 242, Russellville, and Estela Alvarado Mojica, 24, same address, were both charged with trafficking methamphetamine.

Authorities said officers recovered more than $4,000 cash, a gun and more than a pound of ice from the residence.

Plott said Thursday's arrest was the climax of the events that took place throughout the week.

He said other agencies including the Colbert County Drug Task Force and the Red Bay and Tuscumbia police departments helped in the investigation.

"This shows what can be accomplished working together,'' Hargett said. "These arrests were important in the battle against drugs. We're glad to get these drugs off the street.''

Colbert County Sheriff Ronnie May said drug dealers don't have boundaries and if law enforcement is going to combat the dealers, they can't let boundaries stop them either.

"This effort is an obvious example of what happens when you have people who are not worried about boundaries and combine their efforts,'' May said.

Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said Carbajal is being held on bail of $100,000 cash.

"He is an illegal alien and we have information that he is going back and forth to Mexico with no ties to the area. This was brought out at the bond hearing,'' Rushing said. "Also, we're working with the federal government to begin deportation arrangements as soon as this matter is resolved.''

He said Mojica is being held on a $40,000 cash bond.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.