Tuesday morning, part of the District Attorney’s Warrant Team went to a residence at 301 Broughton St. in Andalusia to execute a warrant on Brendon Smith, 33, for failing to appear in court for child support enforcement. The Warrant Team was conducting a round-up for defendants who have failed to appear for court for child support payments, worthless checks and restitution.

Warrant Team Member and deputy, Cody Holmes, assisted by Andalusia officers Cole Mock, Brian Baxley and Nathan Pugh, as well as Reserve Deputy Justin Gantt, made contact with Smith at the residence. Holmes smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the home. He then requested that the Covington County Drug Task Force respond to the scene. Thereafter, Smith consented to a search of the residence. The search led to the discovery of more than 220 grams of crack cocaine. Officers also located illegal prescription narcotics and marijuana.

District Attorney Walt Merrell praised the officers for their efforts.

“Effective law enforcement sometimes starts with the simplest of things. These men went with a very simple purpose – to serve a warrant. The net effect of that simple law enforcement purpose is what I believe to be the largest crack cocaine seizure in Covington County’s history. This is a significant bust. I know I speak for Chief Paul Hudson and Sheriff Dennis Meeks as well when I say that I’m proud of these guys for being observant, diligent and dedicated. They protected a lot of people today by making this arrest.”

DTF Commander Mark Odom reiterated Merrell’s comments about the significance of the bust, noting that, “The crack cocaine has a street value of in excess of $22,000,” he said. “Getting this off the streets is a huge win for law enforcement and for public safety.”
Smith is charged with Trafficking – Cocaine, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana II and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Trafficking is a Class A felony, punishable by up to life in prison. Smith is being held in the Covington County Jail on an $852,500 bond.
Merrell also stated that Smith was currently out on bond for the charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana II and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

“It is always a condition of bond that the individual not break the law. We expect to file to revoke Mr. Smith’s bond so that he remains in the jail until his trial can be had,” Merrell said.