A Gadsden man has been arrested and charged in connection to unlawful distribution of heroin, according to Sheriff Todd Entrekin.

Drug Task Force Commander Rob Savage said that 25 year old Derrick Jamar Britton of Gadsden is charged with one count of drug trafficking, which is a felony.

He was arrested on Tuesday for one count of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.  The drug trafficking warrant was obtained after his release on Tuesday.

Britton was found to be in possession of more than 15 grams (approximately .5 ounce) of heroin, with a street value of approximately $7,000.

Commander Savage said, “This was more than four times the illegal weight needed for a trafficking warrant.”

During an interview with drug task force agents, he indicated his awareness that several individuals have overdosed and died from the drug that he sold.

Britton was also arrested in December 2014 on three counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.  He made bond and was released in February 2015.  Two weeks after his discharge a new warrant was obtained for another count of unlawful distribution, which led his arrest on Tuesday.

He is currently being held in the Etowah County Detention Center without bond.