The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office announced that on Wednesday they arrested an individual for allegedly trafficking fentanyl.
Jamelle Thomas was arrested by the MCSO Narcotics and Special Operations unit following a search at Baymont Inn on W. I-65 Service Rd.
Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch on Thursday said the unit had been following Thomas for some time after receiving information that he was allegedly selling fentanyl laced prescription drugs.
Burch said that as they executed the search warrant, they realized Thomas had a separate active warrant for murder.
In 2020, Thomas was charged in the Dec. 13, 1999 shooting death of 24-year-old Marcel Chandler, according to Mobile police.
Thomas was out on bond and on Monday was given a trial date of Nov. 18, according to court records.
In his most recent arrest, Thomas allegedly possessed almost two pounds of fentanyl laced prescription drugs.
Thomas is charged with trafficking fentanyl, tampering with physical evidence, possession/use of drug paraphernalia and possession/use of a controlled substance.
Burch said that it is one of the largest trafficking seizures they have had recently.
“It’s one of the most significant ones that we’ve had recently,” Burch said. “This is the biggest that I know of that we’ve got on a search warrant. You know, with one individual.”
Burch said it is unclear how Thomas came into possession of fentanyl as the case is still undergoing investigation.
If convicted, Thomas could face life in prison due to the quantity of fentanyl he allegedly possessed.
