Drug raids conducted over the last few weeks by the Jefferson County

Sheriff's Department, have netted at least 8 arrests, the confiscation of a cashe of

dangerous assault weapons, a laundry list of illegal drugs and a bundle of money.

Acting on five search warrants at houses in Huffman, Brighton and Mulga, vice and

narcotics officers seized a grenade launcher, a .45 Thompson Machine Gun, an AK-47

assault rifle, a Bushmaster, a shotgun, four pistols and enough ammo to supply a small

army.

Also confiscated was an undetermined amount of marijuana, cocaine, Lortab and Oxycodone.

At a news conference called to display the evidence Sheriff Mike Hale congratulated his

officers for their exemplary work and said the Department will continue its effort

to erradicate such drug houses from Jefferson County.

Of the deadliness of the weapons, Hale said " it is very dangerous and very necessary work

our deputies are doing out there."

All 8 suspects are in custody facing a variety of federal drug and weapons charges.