Cop jailed for trafficking meth

Flomaton Police Officer Issac Lopez was arrested Monday, Dec. 7 in Escambia County (Fla.) for trafficking methamphetimine and will also face felony charges back in Escambia County (Ala.).

Isaac Lopez, 36, who served as lieutenant with the Flomaton Police Department, was arrested following a joint investigation involving Alabama and Florida law enforcement agencies.

Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff Heath Jackson said Lopez is accused to trafficking meth and had planned to return to Escambia County (Ala.) to distribute the controlled substance.

Flomaton Police Chief Chance Thompson said Lopez has been served with termination papers and is no longer a member of the department.

"He has a right to a due-process hearing," Thompson said Tuesday. "But he is not working with us in any capacity."

"This is something we do not and will not condone," Thompson said. "Officers will be held to the same standards, if not higher, than the general public. To me, it's another criminal off the streets."

In addition to the trafficking charges in Florida, Sheriff Jackson said once Lopez is released on bond from Florida Lopez will face felony charges in Alabama for using his official position for personal gain. Sheriff Jackson said that charge stems from Lopez using a cell phone issued from the town of ­­­­­ ­­Flomaton to coordinate the drug trafficking.

"The Flomaton Police Department was a part of this investigation and supported our efforts to take this trafficker off of the streets," Jackson said. "Chief Thompson should be commended for his dedication to the town of Flomaton and wanting only the best for his town."

Jackson said the joint investigation included his office, the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office and its SWAT and narcotics units.

"They worked countless hours helping to make this arrest," Jackson said. "I would also like to thank the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration for all of their support during this operation."

Court records from Escambia County (Fla.) said Lopez was arrested on Highway 29 in Molino. In addition to the trafficking charge, he was also charged with using a two-way communication device to facilitate the drug transaction. The report said when Lopez was arrested he possessed 14 grams or more of meth.

Arrest reports said on Dec. 7 Lopez arranged a narcotics deal for 2 ounces of methamphetamine from an undercover Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office investigator. The report stated Lopez arrived at the predetermined location and accepted 2 ounces of meth from the undercover officer.

The report also noted that prior to the incident in Molino, Lopez had communicated with the undercover officer through the telephone and text messages about the narcotics transactions.

Lopez was arrested after the transaction and booked into the Escambia County (Fla.) Jail on $105,000 bond.