FOLEY, Ala. — The work-week started off with a bang in the Forward City as several Foley residents posted social-media messages in which they reported hearing what sounded like an explosion at approximately 7:45 a.m. Monday. But according to Federal Bureau of Investigations Special Agent Matt Chapman, that sound was a part of an elaborate plan to apprehend 18 people suspected of selling drugs.

“Diversionary measures are sometimes used,” he said in a Monday afternoon news conference at the Foley Justice Center.

As previously reported on www.GulfCoastNewsToday.com, that tactic was a tool used in collaborative effort among federal and local law enforcement resulted in a Monday morning drug round-up in Foley.

According to U.S. Attorney Kenyen R. Brown, a year-long investigation resulted in indictments against 18 individuals suspected of drug possession or charges that included “attempt to distribute crack cocaine.”  He explained that in March a Federal Grand Jury issued two separate indictments for the apprehension of Douglas McArthur Watts Jr., William Reed II, Trevin Muhammad, Joseph Valinsky, Jesse Andre Heard aka “Gucci,” Otis Garland Jackson, Delgardo Mario Lacey, Earnest Holmes aka Charlie Brown, Clarence S. Buchanan, Clint Coydara Buchanan, Mylan Jamal Armstrong, Allison Deanna Frye Petracca aka “Ashley,” Willie Blanks, Clifton Fidele Heard, Maurice Vernon Moss, Henry Heard, Jessica Heard and Cedric D. Kennedy.

“The federal indictments remained sealed until this morning,” Brown said at Monday’s news conference, “when approximately 100 federal and local agents and officers participated in an early-morning round-up to attempt to arrest all of the indicted defendants. Each of the defendants named in the federal indictments is being prosecuted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. The indictments also include multiple counts against various of the individual defendants alleging possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.”

Two of those counts, Brown added, allege possession with an intent to distribute the drug within 1,000 feet of the Aaronville public housing community. In addition, three counts allege the same charge within 1,000 feet of a playground at Public Safety Memorial Park in Mobile.

According to Chapman, Monday’s round-up took place without complications.

“There were no assaults of law enforcement, no weapons discharged,” he said.

Agents involved in the maneuver included members of the FBI, the Foley Police Department, the Baldwin County Drug task Force, ATF, DEA, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the Gulf Shores and Mobile and Fairhope Police departments, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama Port Authority.

According to Foley Police Chief David Wilson, Monday’s round-up was the latest in a number of successful endeavors.

“In the last four years, we have cut crime in Foley in half,” he said at the news conference.

According to Chapman, all but seven of those indicted were captured Monday. However, at press time authorities said at least one additional arrest was made, although further details were not yet available.

Those presumed to be still at large include Willie Blanks Jr., Douglas McArthor Watts, Murice White, Clint Coydara Buchanan, Clarence Buchanan, Maurice Vernon Moss and Jess Andre Heard.

“Those defendants that escaped law enforcement arrest this morning will be pursued until they are arrested,” Chapman said.

The FBI agent added that anyone with information of the whereabouts of these individuals should call 251-438-4674 or contact their local police department.

“The FBI is offering a reward,” Chapman said.