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Athens man arrested on drug charges

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - A man investigators called a drug kingpin is now behind bars after undercover agents busted a significant drug operation.

Limestone County investigators first became involved in the bust and enlisted the help of agents in the city of Madison and Madison County sheriff's deputies. They also had help from the sheriff's newly formed Street Crimes and Interdiction Unit.

Bill Oscar Lee was arrested at an apartment complex off University Drive in Huntsville Tuesday night. Agents say Lee had been distributing a large amount of narcotics in the Limestone and Madison counties area.

Investigators said Lee used a relative's identification to rent two units and an apartment to store his drugs and keep police off his trail. After intensive undercover work the past eight months, they found drugs at a garage area Lee was renting.

Dogs hit on four kilos of powdered cocaine, 47 pounds of marijuana, scales, $60,000 in cash and a 9mm gun.

Investigators say Lee was turning a 1/2 million dollar profit on drug deals.

"Through the investigation conducted over the years, we know this is about a 1/3 of what he takes and distributes in a short period of time," said Madison County Investigator Michael Salomonsky. "So as far as the drug impact on our counties, his removal from society has had a great impact on the drug trade in our two counties."

Lee was charged with obstruction of justice, trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond is set at over $1 million.