13 arrested in Opelika during Wednesday's drug bust

OPELIKA, AL (WTVM) - The streets of Opelika are safer tonight thanks to the city's first big drug bust of the year.

Over the past several months, the Opelika Police Department has been conducting an investigation into the sales of illegal narcotics, which culminated in numerous arrests.

"This morning officers of the Opelika Police Department Vice and Narcotics Division, along with assistance from the Auburn Police Department, Lee County Sheriff's Office and the Lee County Bureau of Investigation began serving arrest warrants in this case," explains Captain Bruce DeLong of the Opelika Police Department.

After several hours, authorities arrested 13 individuals for various drug related charges.

Of those arrested, 11 were charged with unlawful distribution, another with unlawful possession, and the last for unlawful possession as well as unlawful manufacture of controlled substances.

"My understanding is some of the sales involved marijuana, crack cocaine and one individual who was charged with manufacture involved the possibility of a meth lab," says DeLong.

If convicted the individuals could face one to 20 years in jail and fined anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000.

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