Five arrrested in Etowah drug bust

An investigation that began in June has resulted in Etowah County authorities arresting five people and seizing about a pound-and-a-half of methamphetamine they say was being distributed by members of a family. And authorities are seeking two more individuals on charges of trafficking and distribution. Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit Commander Rob Savage said "Operation Beamer," which began following a tip from a traffic stop made by a young patrol officer this summer led to arrests over the last 10 days. In the process, investigators say they took a high grade brand of meth off the streets valued at as much as $70,000. The five people arrested were:

Jeffrey Beam, charged with three counts of trafficking.

Jamie Beam, charged with two counts of trafficking.

Justin Beam, one count of trafficking.

Justin Lowe, one count of trafficking, two counts of drug possession.

John Nelson, two counts of trafficking.

Authorities are also looking for two others - Matthew Beam, wanted on one count of trafficking, and Kenneth Humphries, wanted on distribution charges.

Working in the operation were the DEU, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Etowah County Sheriff's Office, the Etowah County District Attorney's Office, and police departments in Gadsden, Southside, Attalla and Rainbow City.