Through the combined efforts of Alabama Law Enforcement and Franklin County officers, an alleged drug sale was prevented near the end of 2018.

Dec. 27, 2018, at approximately 10 p.m., a Franklin County Sheriff’s Office K9 team responded to assist a state police officer who had conducted a traffic stop on Alabama Highway 24 East near County Road 75 in Russellville. The state officer had detected suspicious activity inside the vehicle and requested assistance from FCSO, according to FCSO investigators.

The K9 deputy arrived at the scene and deployed his K9 to search for the presence of narcotic odors. The K9 detected the odor of narcotics coming from inside vehicle, according to the FCSO.

A vehicle search was conducted, in which the deputy and the state officer located a large amount of powder cocaine.

The suspect, Marquis Latrell Caldwell, 27, Athens, had apparently attempted to hide the narcotics during the stop, but by the use of the K9, officers were able to locate it inside the vehicle, according to the FCSO report. A loaded pistol, money, drug weighing devices and a quantity of marijuana were also found on the driver and inside the vehicle.

Through further investigation with a FCSO investigator, it was determined Caldwell was traveling to Russellville to allegedly distribute the narcotics.

Caldwell’s charges include possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana and carrying a concealed weapon. An investigation is still ongoing by the FCSO and the Franklin County Drug Task Force.