A 48-year-old Sylacauga resident is facing multiple felony charges following a traffic stop that authorities say led to the discovery of methamphetamine both at the scene and later inside the county jail.
According to Talladega County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force Commander Mike Roberson, officers were monitoring a location in Sylacauga on Sunday afternoon that had been flagged for suspected drug activity. During surveillance, an officer observed what appeared to be a hand-to-hand drug transaction involving a woman later identified as Sabrina Nicole Sanders.
After Sanders left the area in her vehicle, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop. During the encounter, officers questioned her about whether she had any illegal substances in the vehicle. Authorities say Sanders admitted she did and retrieved a bag containing methamphetamine from her clothing. Officers also reportedly recovered a cut straw with visible drug residue.
Sanders was taken into custody and transported to the Talladega County Metro Jail. While being processed at the facility, jail staff allegedly discovered additional methamphetamine concealed on her person. Because the substance was brought into the correctional facility, Sanders now faces an additional charge of promoting prison contraband in the second degree.
She has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, which under Alabama law is classified as a Class D felony. Conviction on this charge carries a potential sentence ranging from one year and one day to five years in prison. The promoting prison contraband charge is considered a Class C felony and may result in a prison term of one year and one day up to 10 years if convicted.
Authorities confirmed that Sanders was assigned a combined bond totaling $13,500 and remained in custody as of Tuesday afternoon.
Court records also indicate that Sanders is currently out on bond in a separate case in Shelby County related to organized retail theft. Additional details regarding that case were not immediately available.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further legal proceedings are expected in the coming weeks.
