Drug Task Force officers are asking for the public’s help in locating a man who fled from a deputy early Wednesday and who is wanted for drug trafficking.

Sgt. Jeff Daniel of the Covington County Sheriff’s Office spotted two motorists stopped on Cameron Road in Loango and stopped to see if they needed assistance. One of the vehicles sped away.

Sgt. Daniel gave chase. After a lengthy pursuit, the driver of the vehicle was forced to stop. He abandoned the vehicle and fled by foot into the woods. Sgt. Daniel searched the area but did not find the fleeing suspect. As Daniel and assisting deputies conducted an inventory search of the vehicle, they located a total of 200 grams of “ICE” methamphetamine.

Drug Task Force agents determined that the driver of the vehicle was Jeremy Lee Gardner, 42, of Calloway Road, which is just over the Conecuh County line.

Over the next several hours, DTF Agents conducted numerous interviews and also assisted Conecuh County Narcotics Officers with a search warrant of Gardner’s Calloway Road residence. During the search of Gardner’s home, law enforcement officers recovered more methamphetamine and numerous firearms. Chandler Laine Fowler, 26, who was at Gardner’s residence, was arrested.

As of press time, DTF agents had made one arrest for first degree hindering prosecution in connection with the matter, and Gardner remained at large. Agents have obtained warrants for trafficking a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and attempting to elude law enforcement. Hiss bonds have been set at $1,040,000.

DTF Commander Mark Odom has asked for the public’s help in locating Gardner.

“Jeremy Gardner is a perfect example of someone who will not learn,” Odom said. “He has served prison time for drug convictions in the past, and yet here he is, trafficking in meth. There are people in Covington County who are struggling with addiction, and Gardner is trying to make more drugs available. He needs to be off the streets of Covington County, so he can no longer inflict harm on Covington County. I am urging anyone who knows where Gardner is or might be to contact law enforcement immediately.”