Man Arrested in Lauderdale County for Multiple Drug Charges

On Friday, March 7th, after completing search and arrest warrants on another unrelated assignment, agents from the Lauderdale County Drug Task Force executed a fourth search warrant. This search warrant was issued for a residence in Zip City. The search warrant was acquired because one of the residence’s inhabitants was involved in narcotics distribution. The Florence/Lauderdale Special Operations Team gained access to the residence. A search of the home turned up big bags of methamphetamine (ICE) and fentanyl. The Fentanyl weighed around 53 grams, and the Methamphetamine (ICE) weighed around 675 grams, or one pound and a half. Michael Shane Balentine, 42, of Florence, was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Fentanyl and Trafficking in Methamphetamine (ICE).