2 arrested in Etowah Co. marijuana bust | News

ETOWAH COUNTY, AL (WBRC)- Etowah County officials seized more than 100 pounds of marijuana and arrested two people on marijuana trafficking charges.

The Etowah County Drug Task Force seized the drugs, which investigators say were imported from Mexico to the U.S. over a one-year period.

Hernandez Soto, a 36-year-old with a Birmingham address, and Hunter Epps Waters, a 22-year-old from Trussville, were arrested in connection to the bust. Both suspects are charged with trafficking marijuana.

Officials say Waters was in possession of 45 pounds of marijuana and Soto had 50 pounds. They seized 90 pounds of the drug in two spots within two hours on Wednesday. Agents believe it was stamped into bricks so it could be hidden in compartments, and wrapped in plastic to avoid detection by drug dogs.

Waters and Soto are in custody of the Etowah County Detention Center. Waters is being held on a $10,000 proporty bond, and Soto has a $50,000 cash bond. The sheriff's office says Soto is considered a flight risk and is believed to be from Mexico. Authorities are investigating his immigration status.

Etowah County District Attorney Jimmie Harp said today he's confident that the marijuana was headed for young customers, including teenagers.

"We'd like to send the message to anybody else who would traffic these type of marijuana into our county, that, you know, we're not going to accept that. And we're going to work very hard to make sure that it doesn't cross our borders and reach our kids," Harp said.

Prosectors plan to bring a case involving a third person who is not in custody right now to a grand jury.

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