More than 1,500 vehicles were checked in a Friday night driver’s license/safety checkpoint on Alabama Highway 55 in River Falls that netted 21 arrests, including one for trafficking marijuana.

The River Falls Police Department, assisted by several other agencies, checked more than 1,500 vehicles in a four-hour time frame. Officers made 21 arrests, with a total of 37 charges, and issued 51 citations.

During the checkpoint, officers came into contact with Bobby Turner, 61, of Navarre, Fla. Agent Robbie Barton with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency made contact with Turner at the driver’s window of the vehicle. Probable cause was obtained to search the vehicle, and officers located two firearms and 10 one-pound packages of marijuana.

Agent Josh Hudson with the 22nd Judicial Drug Task Force charged Turner with trafficking marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a firearm after the identification altered. Turner was held on a $576,000 bond.

Departments involved were the River Falls Police Department, Red Level Police Department, Gantt Police Department, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (SBI and State Troopers), Covington County Sheriff’s Office, Covington County Sheriffs Reserves, Covington County EMA, and Covington County E911.

 

“It makes me proud to live and work in such a great community as Covington County,” River Falls Chief Cody Warren said “It is a blessing to have so many good fellow law enforcement officers eager to help out and assist in any way possible. I sincerely appreciate all of the other agencies that assisted in the checkpoint

“Traffic increases dramatically this time of year and our goal is to keep motorists as safe as possible,” he said. “Please use caution and pay attention while driving during this upcoming spring and summer season.”