Leeds Drug Bust Links to Birmingham Homicides

0:00In Birmingham today, March 21st, leads police have arrested Joshua Hester following a months-long drug investigation that wrapped up with a search at his home on Sunrise Circle, March 4th. Multiple agencies joined in, including SWAT teams from Leeds and Irondale, plus Jefferson County support. They seized fentanyl, marijuana, drug gear, several firearms, stolen guns from Birmingham, machine gun conversion parts, and body armor. Ballistic tests on the weapons linked them to shell casings from homicides and shootings in Birmingham this year. Officials brought in a mobile testing unit from the East Metro Area Crime Center, right to the scene for quick results. Hester has a long rap sheet. Back in 2015, he faced charges for attempted murder and firing at a police car. Then in 2023, he got picked up for first degree assault, heroin trafficking, and trying to flee cops. He also had an active felony warrant from Shelby County and was a suspect

1:01in an unsolved attempted murder in Birmingham. Right now, he's locked up in Jefferson County Jail on four counts of trafficking, two counts of receiving stolen property, plus charges for illegal. Gun possession as a prohibited person, unlawful drug and gun offenses, and the machine gun parts. Authorities looped in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for federal charges, and they're grateful for the teamwork. This hall might help crack open some of Birmingham's unsolved violent cases and keep more trouble off the streets.