The alleged manufacture of methamphetamine was discovered at two homes within the county as part of investigations conducted by the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff David Allison said the first case took place on April 1, as narcotics investigators and officers with the Mississippi Department of Corrections served a search warrant at the home of 63-year-old Jackie W. Hariel of 2885 Hwy. 53, Poplarville.
The warrant stemmed from community reports that the sale and manufacture of methamphetamine was ongoing at the home, Allison said.
When the warrant was served no one was home, but during the search the investigators found coffee filters containing a residue believed to be from methamphetamine, digital scales and precursor chemicals, Allison said.
Hariel was located at his home the next day and charged with possession of precursor chemicals and a hold was placed on him by MDOC since he was on probation at the time of his arrest, Allison said.
The second case occurred on April 16, when detectives learned that 58-year-old Greg Smith of 40005 LeBlanche Road., Columbia had purchased medications containing pseudoephedrine that were later given to 41-year-old Joshua “Smiley” Lee of 190 Albert Prince Road, Henleyfield, Allison said.
A surveillance operation was established at the Albert Prince Road home, where they saw Smith leaving the residence and a stop was conducted. Allison said that during the stop officers found methamphetamine on Smith’s person, leading him to be taken into custody.
The detectives then went to the home to speak with Lee, who was also found to be in the possession of methamphetamine, leading to a search of the home that located a methamphetamine lab, precursor chemicals and equipment used in the manufacture of the controlled substance.
Lee was charged with manufacture of a controlled substance, possession of precursor chemicals, generating hazardous waste, conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance, transfer of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.
Smith was charged with manufacture of a controlled substance, possession of precursor chemicals, generating hazardous waste, conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and DUI second.
The investigation tied 42-year-old Dana Lee Poche of 11 Waterman Road, Henleyfield to the operation, leading her to be charged with conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance and transfer of a controlled substance.
More arrests are expected to occur as both of these investigations continue.