County’s K-9 unit makes first drug bust
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 Unit recently made their first arrest after a Phil Campbell man was found with marijuana in his possession.
Michael Shane Wollenzien, 21, 106, Weeks St., Phil Campbell, was arrested for first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said.
According to Oliver, the FCSO K-9 Unit was attempting to locate Wollenzien on felony warrants on March 30 when he was spotted standing in the yard of a residence in the Spruce Pine area.
Oliver said when Wollenzien spotted the patrol car, he fled from the residence on foot.
Following a short chase, Oliver said deputies were able to locate Wollenzien, who was hiding in a shed near the home.
Oliver said when deputies apprehended Wollenzien, they discovered a small amount of marijuana in his possession so they called in the K-9 Unit to attempt to locate additional drugs in the shed.
Oliver said K-9 Chill, the unit’s trained German shepherd who has been with the department since the end of January, detected the presence of drugs in a metal pail located in the shed.
Upon inspection, Oliver said deputies found several ounces of marijuana packaged for sale in the pail.
Oliver said during questioning, Wollenzien admitted to selling the marijuana.
He was arrested and transported to the Franklin County Jail where he is being held without bond.