The City of Birmingham is suing a west Birmingham motel, claiming a high amount of illegal drug activity and violence at the location.
Officials on Wednesday announced the lawsuit against the Town Motel, which is located at 414 Third Ave. West. Third Avenue Hospitality, Inc., Ramsuyog, LLC and Shree Laxmi Narayan, LLC have been named as the owners in the complaint.
The city contends that the owners have been notified that a drug-related nuisance exists on the property and have “refused or failed to correct the ongoing problem.” A call to the motel for comment went unanswered.
Among the city’s allegations:
• The Birmingham Police Department Narcotics Unit has served and executed search warrants at the property,
• There is an increased volume of vehicular and pedestrian traffic to and from the property,
• Multiple complaints have been made to the city and law enforcement concerning illegal activity at the property,
• Birmingham Police Department investigations led to arrests and illegal drug seizures in a room in May and another room in September.
In June, the city filed a similar lawsuit against the owner of Monarch Ridge Apartments, formerly known as Valley Brook Apartments, due to the high amount of violent crime and other illegal activities at the property.
“We are committed to holding property owners accountable for ongoing criminal activity that poses a danger for individuals both at those properties and the surrounding neighborhood,” City Attorney Nicole King said.
The newest complaint cites several examples of alleged criminal activity at the Town Motel.
On May 17, Birmingham detectives met with a confidential information whose past cooperative with police has resulted in the seizure of narcotics, U.S. currency, and firearms. During that meeting, the complaint states, the information told detectives that a reputed crack cocaine dealer who uses the street alias Fred used room 130 at the motel to dole out narcotics.
The informant was used to make an undercover buy from “Fred,” and returned to detectives with crack cocaine bought from the dealer. He or she reported seeing more crack cocaine inside the motel room.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for the room, seizing 2.1 grams of crack, 1 gram of MDMA, 4.8 grams of marijuana, 2.5 grams of hydrocodone and a .45 Ruger handgun.
Two people were taken into custody.
On Sept. 1, detectives again received a complaint regarding narcotics trafficking at the motel. Again, they sent in an informant to make an undercover buy.
The informant reported to detectives that he or she bought crack cocaine from a man known as “Nephew.” A search warrant was carried out on Sept. 2 and confiscated a glass pipe and marijuana. One person was arrested.
On Sept. 13, city officials issued the motel owners a notice warning of further legal action. Authorities say they failed to correct the ongoing problem.
“As a result of the Defendants’ failure to abate or correct the hazards existing on their property, the lives of nearby residents have remained in danger,’’ the suit states, “and the City of Birmingham has no alternative but to file this lawsuit against the property owners and inhabitants.”
In the spring of 2020, King created the Office of the City Attorney’s Drug and Nuisance Abatement Team, also known as OCA-DNAT, which works through the courts to hold landowners accountable for keeping their properties clean and getting rid of crime and blight associated with nuisance issues.
The team has successfully closed nine cases generating a safer environment for the residents both on those properties and in the surrounding neighborhoods. They continue to investigate other properties. OCA-DNAT works closely with the Birmingham Police Department to identify areas where landlords are not taking care of properties or providing adequate security.
Problems with drug and nuisance properties can be reported via email to problemproperty@birminghamal.gov or residents may call the internal Drug and Nuisance Abatement Team at 205-254-2369 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.