By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA— In connection with the Jan. 14 arrest of 37-year-old Pelham man, Jameel Gray, the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force arrested 31-year-old Dennis Riles Jr. and charged him with conspiracy to traffic marijuana Feb. 20, according to Lt. Clay Hammac.

“This case was the result of more in-depth investigation into a crime enterprise,” Hammac said.

Gray was arrested and charged with trafficking marijuana in Alabaster Jan. 14, along with 28-year-old Eboni Camille Hale of Alabaster and 29-year-old Mark Alexander Lewis of Hoover.

All three were charged with felony counts of trafficking marijuana and first-degree possession of marijuana and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court documents.

Hammac said through further investigation of the Gray case, the SCDETF identified another distribution point and dealer in the Shelby County area.

Officers executed a search warrant for Bessemer-based Riles, resulting in the seizure of 4,740.3 grams of marijuana, about 10.5 pounds, that were allegedly in the suspect’s possession.

Riles was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was released Feb. 22 after posting a $500,000 bond.

Trafficking marijuana is a Class A felony, and carries a maximum sentence of life in prison upon conviction.

Hammac said this is an ongoing investigation and the SCDETF anticipates additional charges and identifying additional suspects.