VALLEY — Lanett’s Galaxy Auto owner James Patrick Cannon, along with a second individual named Meredith Brooke Wilkerson, were arrested on charges including drug trafficking and possession of drugs, untaxed liquor and drug paraphernalia on Monday, Aug. 13.

According to Valley Police Chief Tommy Weldon, the arrest was made in the early hours of Monday morning. During that time, a warrant was executed by agents from the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force, Chambers County Drug Task Force and the Multi – Jurisdictional SWAT Team at the 3000 block of 16th Ave. in Valley, according to a press release.

The same release lists 30 grams of methamphetamine, nine ounces of marijuana, 10 MDMA pills, hydrocodone pills, suspected LSD, drug paraphernalia, 15 firearms, over five gallons of untaxed liquor and a large sum of currency all found within the residence. In a car outside, four ounces of methamphetamine were also found.

James Patrick Cannon, who is known by locals as “Pat,” was charged with trafficking meth, second degree possession of marijuana, four counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of untaxed liquor and drug paraphernalia.

“[Cannon] ran when they approached him and they had to chase him down and tackle him,” Weldon said.

Meredith Brooke Wilkerson was charged with trafficking meth, second degree possession of marijuana, four counts of possession of a controlled substance, one count of possession of untaxed liquor and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The arrests come after a several-month-long investigation by the Drug Enforcement Task Force and Chambers County Drug Task Force on allegations that Cannon and Wilkerson were involved with drugs.

“We’ve received information from several sources over the past couple of months that they were involved in drug activity,” Weldon said.

Weldon said that, as of now, there is no evidence that the drug trafficking has any relation to Galaxy Auto Sales. Police are still investigating the case and the two individuals charged will have bond set by Judge Calvin Milford before making court appearances.

“[We are still investigating] this case, just tying everything together and seeing if there is any other people involved that could be linked to it,” Weldon
said.