Published: January 07, 2009 05:42 pm      

Internet is not a safe place to deal drugs

PICAYUNE — The second reported alleged drug transaction arrest by the Picayune Police Department initiated by communciation through the use of several means of modern communication was made Tuesday afternoon.

Police activity could be seen in the exit 6 Picayune Winn-Dixie parking lot Tuesday afternoon as officers and investigators took Jeffery William Touchet, 30 of 6104 Brittany St., Biloxi into custody for allegedly attempting to sell methamphetamine.

Investigator Mike Odom said the arrest resulted from an investigation that began with cell-phone text messages, e-mails and telephone calls. Through all that communication a meeting was arranged between an unnamed police department informant and Touchet who allegedly was going to purchase the drug. The meeting place was set at the parking lot.

Touchet met with the informant and when he established that the transaction would take place the informant gave the signal to Investigator Thomas Clark, Capt. Bryan Dawsey, Sgt. Trent Boyd and Investigator Mike Odom, among other officers, to move in. Touchet was taken into custody and investigators found not only the drug but also found precursor chemicals used in the drug’s manufacture, Clark said.

A large bag of methamphetamine was found strapped near the radiator of the vehicle Touchet was driving. Investigators also found syringes believed to be used for injection of the drug, Clark said.

Iodine and some sodium nitrate were a couple of the precursor chemicals found in the vehicle, Odom said.

Touchet was initially charged with conspiracy to sell a controlled substance, felony possession of precursor chemicals and possession of paraphernalia. Later that afternoon after investigators determined the substance in the plastic bag was in fact methamphetamine, Touchet was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet of a church.