The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department has rung in the new year with three sets of drug arrests.

At about 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, a Sheriff’s Department deputy on patrol observed a man walking along Jackson Landing Road, according to a press release from the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department. The deputy remembered seeing either an indictment, or a warrant that a grand jury had enough information to charge the man for possession of a controlled substance, said Chris Lott, Chief Investigator for the Sheriff’s Department.

The suspect, identified as Eric Everett, 21, of 117 Gardenia St., Picayune, was placed under arrest for the indictment and searched, the release states. During the search the deputy discovered more than an ounce of marijuana on Everett. Everett was also charged with possession of more than an ounce of marijuana, the release states.

Later Wednesday afternoon, at about 4 p.m., deputies with the department served a search warrant on a residence at 137 Jasmine Dr., Picayune. The warrant was the product of a month-long investigation, Lott said. The release states that during the search two suspects, Eric R. Scott, 22, of 137 Jasmine Dr. and Anthony Warren, 25, of 602 S. Blanks Ave., were detained at the residence.

Deputies found about half a pound of marijuana broken in to small bags, five grams of crack cocaine, baggies and scales in the residence during the search, the release states. Both suspects were charged with possession of a controlled substance (crack cocaine) with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, the release states.

That same day at about 5:30 p.m. deputies pulled over a suspect for careless driving, the release states. The driver was identified as Darlene L. Duplaa, 50, of 1801 U.S. 11 S. Lot 45. Duplaa was suspected to be driving under the influence of prescription pills, Lott said. A search of the vehicle revealed that Duplaa was in possession of OxyContin, for which she did not have a prescription, Lott said. Duplaa was charged with no insurance, careless driving and felony possession of a controlled substance.

All suspects are awaiting their initial appearance before a justice court judge to set bond, the release states.