A safety checkpoint at the intersection of Babbie Road and Airport Road led to the discovery of an estimated 16 grams of cocaine and the arrest of an Andalusia man Monday.

Darian Hamilton, 20, of Andalusia, was detained during a joint operation between the Alabama State Tro-opers and the Cov-ington Cou-nty Sher-iff’s Depa-rtm-ent.

Drug Task Force Assistant Commander Paul Hudson said Trooper Trey Langham and CCSO Deputy Ken Harris detained Hamilton after about 8 grams (field weight) of cocaine fell from his person during an officer safety pat-down.

“After detaining Hamilton and placing him in the rear of Trooper Langham’s patrol car, he was later removed to be transported,” Hudson said. “But before leaving the scene, Deputy Harris checked Trooper Langham’s backseat for anymore contraband and found another bag of crack cocaine, which also had a field weight of about 8 grams.”

Hudson warned local drug dealers and users that “just because methamphetamine is making the recent headlines, it does not mean that the DTF or local law enforcement have forgotten about other narcotics.”

“We are always on the lookout for any type of drug abuse and especially drug dealers,” he said. “Like (it’s been said) recently, meth seems to be making somewhat of a comeback; however, hardly a day goes by that we don’t get information about cocaine dealers, prescription drug abuse or marijuana grows. When it comes to drugs, we don’t discriminate – we will lock you up for any of it.”

Hamilton was booked into the county jail on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and held on a $13,000 bond.

-Stephanie Nelson