16 arrested for drug distribution, two stores raided for counterfeitting

Arrested:

Curtis Lamont Baker, 24, wanted for unlawful distribution of controlled substance.

The Houston County Sheriff’s Office had a busy day on Thursday, arresting 16 people for unlawful distribution of a controlled substance and seizing more than $54,000 worth of counterfeit merchandise from two Dothan clothing stores.

According to Houston County Sheriff Andy Hughes, four undercover agents made purchases in the operation, which led to the arrests.

“All these individuals were persons we had made undercover purchases from,” Hughes said. “The drugs included marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine and pharmaceutical drugs. We feel it’s important to deal with these problems at the dealer level.”

The operation was a four-month investigation, and some of the individuals sold to undercover officers on multiple occasions.

“The drug war is one we can never win, but we can’t afford to lose,” Hughes said.

Four of the suspects were arrested for distributing prescription medication, including a 76-year-old Dothan woman charged with selling Lortab.

“We have a large problem here. A lot of people are forging prescriptions to get these drugs, and we have seen some people steal these types of drugs from actual cancer patients,” Hughes said. “It’s unusual that we arrest someone this age, but it does happen, and (elderly people distributing medication) may be more widespread than we believe.”

Seven men are still wanted for distributing controlled substances.

While completing the investigation, the sheriff’s office received information that led to the seizure of counterfeit merchandise.

“During the operation, we heard of two organizations in Dothan selling counterfeit items,” Hughes said. “We seized $54,000 worth of counterfeit clothing from Elite Styles on North Foster Street, and from That’s What’s Up Clothing, we seized about $300. It’s merchandise that, on the surface, appears to be Polo, Nike, Ralph Lauren, different kinds of name brand merchandise that are not actually these brands.”

Hughes acknowledged that some people question the importance of counterfeit merchandise arrests, but the impact is measurable.

“These type crimes hurt our legitimate business owners when these people can charge less for what seems to be the same items,” Hughes said.

Federal and state charges are pending against Elite Styles owner James Severson and That’s What’s Up Clothing owner Xavier Henry, according to Hughes.