Man Charged With Fentanyl Trafficking After Police Pursuit, Crash
By Dale Hines
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
April 9, 2026
MOBILE, AL. On August 8, 2028, at approximately 3:00 pm, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics and Vice Unit conducted a clandestine surveillance operation at 2654 North Harbor Drive, Mobile, AL 36605.
James Stephen “Butte” Russell, DOB 12/29/86 lives at this address and is the subject of the investigation.
After observing Russell leave the residence, investigators followed his vehicle and noted multiple traffic violations, including failure to signal and an illegal window tint violation.
A traffic stop was conducted based on these violations.
During the stop, Russell fled the scene in his white Dodge Charger, leading investigators on a vehicle pursuit. During the pursuit, Russell attempted to discard narcotics from the passenger-side window and demonstrated a complete disregard for public safety by accelerating to high speeds.
The pursuit ended when Russell failed to negotiate a right turn and struck a civilian vehicle near Halls Mill Road and Rangeline Road.
The civilian driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and Russell was taken into custody without further incident.
The discarded narcotics were also successfully recovered.
Following the arrest, a search warrant was executed at 2654 N. Harbor Drive.
Investigators recovered trafficking quantities of cocaine and fentanyl, along with a large quantity of marijuana.
Russell has been charged with the following offenses: Felony Attempting to Elude – Trafficking Fentanyl – Possession with Intent (Cocaine) – Possession with Intent (Methamphetamine) – Possession of Marijuana First Degree – Tampering with Physical Evidence – Resisting Arrest – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
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