Daniel Blake Sanders

The arrest Wednesday of a Tennessee Valley man on drug charges may have led to dozens of illegal and dangerous guns and drugs being taken off the street.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office seized 40 firearms at a home on St. Clair Lane in southwestern Madison County. Daniel Blake Sanders, 25, was arrested after marijuana and ice methamphetamine were found in the residence.

In a press conference live streamed by local media outlets, Capt.Mike Salomonsky said the investigation began about a year ago after complaints from neighbors.

Sanders was charged with first-degree possession of marijuana and first-degree possession of a controlled substance. Charges related to the gun cache had not been filed as of Thursday afternoon.

Salomonsky said nearly all the guns had been altered in some way. Those alterations included attempts to remove serial numbers and change sliding mechanisms. The weapons ranged from pistols to assault rifles that could hold up to 50 rounds of ammunition.

“This is an extremely large cache of guns,” Salomonsky said. “It’s a pretty substantial seizure as far as the firearms go for us.”

When asked about the value of the guns, Salomonsky said it would be hard to name a price. He explained a gun that would sell for $400 to $500 in Alabama may sell for as much as $1,500 to $2,000 in northern states.

He explained the investigation into the firearms portion of the case “may be lengthy,” and could involve federal authorities.

Sanders’ bond was set at $40,000. He was still being held in the Madison County Jail Thursday.