Synthetic Marijuana, Meth, Cocaine, handguns, cash seized in Tallapoosa raid

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. (WRBL) – An Alexander City man is out of the hospital and behind bars after investigators say he seriously injured himself while trying to escape a drug raid.

On Friday, September 23rd, a search warrant was executed at a home along Robinson Road in Alexander City.  Officers say as they made entry the suspect, 38-year-old James Heard, broke out a window with his arm and lacerated his brachial artery. The blood loss was immediate and substantial. Medics quickly applied tourniquets, stopping the blood loss. Heard was airlifted to Baptist South for surgery. 

During the search of the residence, agents located approximately 823 grams of Synthetic Marijuana, 93 grams of Methamphetamine, 71 grams of Cocaine, 602 grams of Marijuana, 3 handguns, and $8,000 in U.S. Currency.

After Heard was released from the hospital he was arrested and charged with, Unlawful Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance, (3) three counts of Drug Trafficking, (5) five counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana 1st, (2) two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess a Firearm, Attempt to Elude, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

The investigation into the trafficking and distribution of illegal narcotics is ongoing in Tallapoosa County. Agencies involved include the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force, Alexander City Special Response Group Police Dept. K9 Unit, Dadeville Police Department, and the U.S. Marshal Gulf Coast Regional Task Force.