Operation Blue-Line, which began June 29 has resulted in 27 drug charge arrests.

The enforcement initiative dubbed Operation Blue-Line is another enforcement phase of the Three Phase Drug Offensive that has been began in December of 2003.

Picayune Police Chief Jim Luke said, “We are going to continue strong drug enforcement action in Picayune,… and Operation Blue-Line serves to remind the criminals, as they come into our city, that we have a strong drug enforcement program that makes it very risky to violate drug laws in this city. We are working hard to reduce the illegal drug activity by arresting the violators.

“Drugs are the roots of nearly all criminal activity and to reduce the drug activity is to reduce crime. Criminals are not welcome in our community and the blue-line stands at the entrance of our city to remind those with criminal intentions we have a place for them at the City Jail,” he said.

Operation Blue-Line is more than just a set of checkpoints for the Picayune Police Deparment. Recently the department performed a drug round up leading to the arrest of several suspects as part of the new operation, said Deputy Chief David Ervin.

“The blue line is to let people know that within that blue line we have strong enforcement and criminals are not welcome,” Ervin said. “We’ve had a very strong push towards narcotics enforcement.”

Suspects arrested since June 29 include: Wendy D. Carroll, 37, 1501 Sixth Ave., charged with three counts of sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Nichole Sullivan, 22, 91 Island Dr., charged with sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Christopher Magee, 27, 1206 Fern Dr., charged with sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Dealphonzo Smith, 36, 708 West St., charged with two counts of sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Deidre Logan, 41, 1208 Fern Dr., charged with two counts of sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Elmer McDonald, 35, 135 Greenview Dr., charged with two counts of sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; DaShawn Saunders, 25, 1500 Bogan Cr., charged with sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Berda Ryals, 48, 111 Martin St., charged with possession of controlled substance; Earnest Lewis Price, 53, 3199 Jackson Landing Rd., charged with two counts of sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Venus Bridges, 41, 2211 Walker St., charged with sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Jerald Jett, 17, 2213 Walker St., charged with sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Kenneth Patterson, 33, 52 Fritz Whitfield Rd., charged with sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Heather Blair Dressner, 28, address unknown, in custody at Pearl River County Jail, charged with sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Louis Davies, 37, 135 Espana Park Dr., Waveland, charged with sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Joseph Holloway, 36, 615 East Fourth St., charged with sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Drew Danos, 22, 100 Beechwood Dr., charged with sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Conel Holloway, 22, 1701 U.S 11 N., charged with sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Juvenile, in custody in Hattiesburg Detention center, charged with sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Anita Burnett, 3199 Jackson Landing Rd., charged with possession of controlled substance; Aldrena S. Huderson, 37, 9001 Weems St., charged with possession of controlled substance, reckless driving, no drivers license, no proof of insurance, open beer, and seat belt violation; Patrick Johns, 24, 1627 Rosa St., charged with sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Willie Lewis Coleman, 24, 1111 Martin Luther King Blvd., charged with possession of marijuana, careless driving, no drivers license in possession, and no proof of insurance; Russell Jay Kirt, 36, 27 Cary Metzler Rd., Nicholson, charged with possession of controlled substance, no tag, and no drivers license; James Willis, 27, 119 Harry St., charged with possession of controlled substance, and false identifying information; Tabetha Gaumeri, 39, 119 Harry St., charged with possession of controlled substance, false identifying information and resisting arrest; Michael Stewart, 22, 605 Abrams Ave., charged with possession of controlled substance and possession of firearm by felon, Reginald Smith, 28, 505 Fifth St., charged with possession of controlled substance and Allen Jones, 22, 121 Greenview Dr., charged with sale of controled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church.

Operation Blue-Line is ongoing and further arrests are expected as warrants have been issued for the following suspects; Doris Bonhomme, 30, 1627 Rosa St., wanted for the charge of sale of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Venoy Hartfield, 22, 1627 Rosa St., wanted for the charge of sale of a controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Anthony Guy, 33, James Thomas St., wanted for the charge of sale of a controlled substance within 1500 feet of school or church; Jefferey Chance Effler, 21, 1221 Manning St.,, wanted for the charge of sale of a controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church; Gregory Linson, 32, 1301 Kingsway Dr., wanted for the charge of sale of a controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church and Gregory Cook, 45, McCarty Island, wanted for the charge of sale of a controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school or church.