Eluding leads to drug trafficking arrest

The St. Clair County Drug Enforcement Unit arrested a suspect for drug trafficking after St. Clair County Deputies, Leeds Police Department, Moody Police Department, Pell City Police Department, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Irondale Police Department, Birmingham Police Department, and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit Star 1 pursued a vehicle into Birmingham, Jefferson County.

St. Clair County Sheriff's Patrol attempted to stop a vehicle on Interstate 20 between Pell City and Moody for a speeding violation, and the suspect attempted to flee.

Derek Washington, a 29-year-old from Birmingham, was stopped and arrested in Birmingham.

Derek was booked into the St. Clair County Jail in Pell City for two counts of drug trafficking, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and eluding police.

Bond is set at $3,043,500.00.

Thank you to all the agencies involved for their assistance in this arrest and for the strong partnerships we have in our law enforcement communities. 

Billy J. Murray

Sheriff