CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman Police Department (CPD) reported two large methamphetamine busts Monday night, within a short time of each other. In unrelated incidents, George Richard Burbage, 46, of Cullman and Crystal Michell Phelps, 35, of Hanceville were found in possession of over 40 grams of meth along with other drugs.
According to CPD Sgt. Trey Higginbotham:
“On March 29, 2021, Officer Zane Pounders of the Cullman Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a White Toyota Celica and made contact with the driver, Mr. George Richard Burbage, 46, of Cullman. During the course of the stop, Burbage gave consent for officers to search the vehicle and during the course of search, Burbage admitted that there were narcotics in the vehicle. Officer Pounders along with Officers Rob Long and Hunter Riddlesperger then discovered approximately 45 grams of Methamphetamine and approximately 1 gram of Heroin hidden in the vehicle. Burbage was subsequently arrested for trafficking in methamphetamine and unlawful possession of controlled substance and booked into the Cullman County Detention (Center) where he remains incarcerated on a $500,000 bond. Burbage was out on bond for numerous nonrelated charges at the time of his arrest.”
At the time of his arrest, Burbage was out on bond, awaiting trial on two charges of forgery, four charges of illegal possession/use of a credit card, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana.
Higginbotham’s report continued:
“A short time later, Officer Jeff Mize observed a suspicious occupied vehicle in the parking lot of a closed business on 2nd Ave NW. Officer Mize made contact with the occupant of the vehicle, Ms. Crystal Michelle Phelps, 35, of Cullman. Officer AJ White arrived to assist Officer Mize and it was determined that Ms. Phelps had an outstanding felony warrant with the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office and she was placed under arrest. She was then found to be in the possession of approximately 49 grams of methamphetamine. Phelps was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine and transported to the Cullman County Detention Center. Once there, Phelps was found to have a large quantity of Alprazolam Pills (Xanax Bars) concealed on her person. It was determined that this was the second trafficking in methamphetamine charge for Ms. Phelps in the matter of two weeks. Phelps was booked into CCDC where she remains incarcerated on $1,000,000 bond.”
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