Two local law enforcement agencies made big marijuana busts during the week.

The Picayune Police Department and the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department took a number of pounds of marijuana off the streets of Pearl River County.

Friday the Picayune Police Department conducted an undercover surveillance operation at 934 Central Avenue where detectives observed several known narcotic offenders arriving and leaving shortly after their arrival, according to a release from the department.

Detectives had the traffic division conduct a traffic stop on a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am for a traffic violation, according to the release. During the stop about 43 pounds of what is suspected to be marijuana was recovered from the rear seat.

As a result Jeremy Evans, aka. “Pig”, was arrested without incident, but was found to have a small caliber automatic pistol on his person, the release states. He was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute while in possession of a firearm.

Estimated street value of the marijuana is $20,000, the release states.

A search warrant was served on the residence at Central Avenue where marijuana was found on Lakeith Rawls, no age provided, who was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, the release states.

The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department also took a number of pounds off the streets. Tuesday, deputies served a search warrant on the residence located at 3 Arbor Lane. The owner of the home, Robert Spear, 35, was presented with the warrant, the department’s release states.

After Spear was read his rights and informed that deputies received information he was growing marijuana deputies searched the home. They found six two foot tall plants outside the home, Capt. Chris Lott said. Spear was charged with manufacture of marijuana and given a $30,000 bond by a justice court judge, the release states.

Thursday deputies conducted a traffic stop for careless driving and found about four pounds of marijuana at the home of a separate suspect, the release states.

When the deputy approached the vehicle during the stop he could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and observed a marijuana cigarette in the ashtray, the release states. The driver, identified as Jack Maddison Ceaser, 27, of 991 Old Hwy. 11, Carriere, was taken into custody for possession of marijuana. A search of the vehicle produced a bag of marijuana in the glove box.

Deputies took Ceasar back to his residence where he and the other occupant of the home, Melissa Dykgraaf, 25, both gave consent to search the home, the release states. During that search deputies discovered about four pounds of marijuana hid in the back bedroom of the residence. Baggies and scales were also discovered with the marijuana.

Both suspects were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet of a church. Ceaser and Dykgraaf are awaiting their bond hearing.