Picayune police officers, assisted by officers from other agencies, set out before dawn Thursday in search of 20 suspects wanted on drug related charges, and shortly after sunrise 17 of those suspects were in custody.

Three suspects are still being sought on warrants, Assistant to the Chief of Police Jeremy Magri said Thursday evening.

Phase Two of “Operation Breaking Dawn” consisted of “rounding up local drug suspects on charges ranging from sale of controlled substances, conspiracy to sell a controlled substance and soliciting prostitution,” Chief Bryan Dawsey said.

As was the first phase of the operation, Phase Two was a multi-agency effort.

“The Picayune Police Narcotics Division and (other) officers from the department, the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations and Public Housing officers” worked together in four teams to bring in the suspects, said Dawsey. “I would like to thank the officers of the police department and all of the agencies that assisted in the apprehension of these suspects.”

During the operation, three vehicles were seized.

The suspects that were arrested are: Kenneth Williams, 18, of 400 South Blanks Ave., four counts sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school, and a bond set at $240,000; Alvin Peel Jr., 19, of 801 Hunt St., two counts sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school, and two counts sale of a controlled substance, and a bond set at $180,000; Elizabeth Seals, 29, of 8 South Fork Rd., Carriere, sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school, and a bond set at $60,000; Marcus Atkins, 32, of 8 S. Fork Rd., Carriere, two counts sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school, and a bond set at $120,000; Joseph Hayes, 29, of 110 Harris St., Carriere, two counts sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school and two counts conspiracy to sell a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school, and a bond set at $180,000; Damien Baudier, 37, two counts sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school and two counts conspiracy to sell a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school, and a bond set at $180,000; Kelly Jenkins, 49, of 28121 Dusty Lane, two counts sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school, and a bond set at $120,000; Tonya Midkiff, 40, of 111 Myrtle Dr., possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and a bond set at $30,000; Justin Bourlet, 19, of 353 North Hill Dr., conspiracy to sell a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school, and a bond set at $30,000; Tige Brumfield, 40, of 2001 U.S. Highway 11 North Apt. 12, two counts sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school, and a bond set at $120,000; Michael Torres, 51, of 115 Bass Rd., Carriere, sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school, and a bond set at $60,000; Michael Hawthorne, 24, of 1007 Rosa St., sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school, and a bond set at $60,000; Joseph Adams, 53, of 1208 Kingsway Dr., three counts possession of a controlled substance felony and sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school, and a bond set at $84,000; and Jaquarin Durr, 21, of 902 East Eighth St., sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school, and a bond set $60,000.

Robert Frisby, 60, of 107 Lilac Dr., was arrested for soliciting prostitution.

Two juveniles were taken into custody. One for two counts conspiracy to sell a controlled substance and the other for sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school.

The three suspects still being sought on warrants are: Patrick Irvin, 23, of 881 Herrin Dr., two counts conspiracy to sell a controlled substance; Darren Torres, 48, of 2001 U.S. Hwy. 11N Apt. 40, three counts sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school and three counts conspiracy to sell a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school; and Gerod Bickham, 35, of Nicholson, conspiracy to sell a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church or school.

The Picayune Police Department is asking that anyone having information regarding the whereabouts of these suspects, to call the police department at (601)798-7411 or Crime Stoppers at (601)799-2583.

Chief Dawsey said, “This is another wave of narcotics enforcement by the police department to take drug dealers and criminals off the streets of Picayune.

“We will continue this fight on the war on drugs,” he said, “and not stop until we reach our goal of a drug free city.”

On Thursday, Phase Two of “Operation Breaking Dawn” brought in 17 suspects, issuing a total of 33 charges and  $1.52 million in bonds. The bond amount does not include the three suspects being sought, the two juveniles in custody or the soliciting prostitution charge.

The first phase of “Operation Breaking Dawn” took place in early June. The operation consisted of 20 suspects being apprehended, on a total of more than 25 charges and $1.44 million in bonds.