Operation Urban Strike nets 30 arrests

Derek Lynn Pierce

Law enforcement officers from Etowah County set out before dawn Wednesday morning armed with 94 arrest warrants.  They visited homes throughout the county, as well as parts of neighboring counties, to search for 63 people wanted in Operation Urban Strike. Sheriff Todd Entrekin said 30 people were in custody by Wednesday afternoon.  Investigators served 46 of their warrants.  Entrekin said they began early in hopes of catching most of them by surprise in their homes.    Derek Lynn Pierce concerned the Drug Task Force the most of the suspects.  The officers intended for him to be the first target Wednesday, but Entrekin said investigators saw some activity Tuesday that forced them into action early.  According to Drug Task force commander Rob Savage, Officers found Pierce barricaded in his Rainbow City home with $20,000 worth of methamphetamine. Investigators also seized nearly $17,000 dollars cash, more than a dozen firearms, and more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition.  Savage said Pierce is a doomsday prepper, who sells drugs to be able to purchase the weapons.  Investigators said Pierce does not have an extensive criminal record, but investigators learned many of the guns are stolen.  Pierce will face charges related to the stolen weapons as well.

Investigators also seized drugs and paraphernalia during the round up, and discovered a couple of meth cooks.