Two Arrested in Evergreen Narcotics Bust

Police seized cocaine, crack, marijuana, meth, fentanyl and other drugs from a home on Wild Avenue.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:19pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small pile of white powder, possibly cocaine, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A recent narcotics bust in Evergreen, Alabama exposed the ongoing battle against the opioid crisis and drug trafficking in the state.Evergreen Today

Two people were arrested in Evergreen, Alabama after police executed a search warrant at a home and seized a large quantity of illegal drugs, including cocaine, crack, marijuana, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and MDMA. The suspects, Joe Nathan Rankins and Candace Patrice Crosby, face multiple drug-related charges.

Why it matters

This bust highlights the ongoing battle against the opioid crisis and drug trafficking in Alabama communities. The seizure of such a wide variety of narcotics, including highly potent and dangerous substances like fentanyl, underscores the serious public health and safety concerns surrounding the illegal drug trade.

The details

On April 2, Evergreen police executed a search warrant at a home on Wild Avenue and arrested Joe Nathan Rankins, 40, and Candace Patrice Crosby, 37. Authorities say they seized 100 grams of cocaine, 40.56 grams of crack/cocaine, 14.93 ounces of marijuana, 1.7 grams of a fentanyl and methamphetamine mixture, 1 gram of MDMA, 0.5 grams of an unknown substance, 9 THC vape pens, a large amount of an untested 'chem' substance, and Rice Krispie edibles containing an untested 'chem' substance. Police also found a digital scale and $698 in U.S. currency, as well as a 9mm Taurus handgun.

  • On April 2, 2026, Evergreen police executed a search warrant at a home on Wild Avenue.

The players

Joe Nathan Rankins

A 40-year-old man arrested and charged with multiple drug-related offenses including trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, marijuana, and other controlled substances.

Candace Patrice Crosby

A 37-year-old woman arrested and charged with chemical endangerment of a child in relation to the drug bust.

Evergreen Police Department

The law enforcement agency that executed the search warrant and made the arrests.

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What’s next

The suspects will face a judge in the coming weeks to determine if they will be granted bail as their cases proceed through the criminal justice system.

The takeaway

This drug bust in Evergreen underscores the serious public health and safety threats posed by the illegal drug trade, especially the proliferation of highly potent and dangerous substances like fentanyl. It also demonstrates the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat the opioid epidemic and disrupt drug trafficking networks in Alabama communities.