The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department arrested 10 felony drug suspects in an operation that lasted 24 hours and spanned two days.

The operation began on Wednesday, and by the next day all of the suspects had been brought to the county jail charged.

“Ten in 24 hours. We’re serious about what we do,” said Chief Investigator Donnie Saucier.

Saucier said that on Wednesday the investigators got information alleging that two suspects, later identified as Allen Gray, 32, of 72 Bob Simpson Rd., and Elijah Barrett, 26, of Old U.S. 11, were purchasing items commonly used in the production of methamphetamine from Poplarville stores.

The investigators located the suspect vehicle and followed it to another drug store in the Poplarville area, Saucier said. The investigators observed Gray and Barrett purchase pseudoephedrine pills and later conducted a traffic stop on the car.

Consent to search the vehicle was acquired from the suspects and in the car the investigators found lye, sulfuric acid, pseudoephedrine pills and a receipt from a Purvis area store for lithium batteries purchased that same day.

Saucier said further investigation found that the suspects allegedly were paid to go on the precursor shopping spree for an unknown third party for the alleged purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine. A search warrant was secured for Gray’s home where the investigators found lithium batteries and pseudoephedrine pills.

Both Gray and Barrett were charged with possession of precursor chemicals.

That same day Sgt. Rob Williams went to the home of Emily and Justin Boyd, at 35 Mason Miller Rd., to serve a warrant for 26 year-old Emily Boyd’s arrest for possession of precursor chemicals. When Williams pulled up, he spoke with 26 year-old Justin Boyd and 20 year-old Caleb Lambert, of 302 Boggy Branch.

During the discussion, Williams could smell a strong chemical odor consistent with the manufacture of methamphetamine, Saucier said. Williams asked for consent to search the premises, but it was denied. He then requested a court ordered search warrant. When that warrant was issued, the search of the home found two active methamphetamine cooks, one outside the home under an old tire and another in the laundry room of the home.

Also in the home were some precursor chemicals such as lye, salt, camp fuel and ammonium nitrate. All three suspects were charged with possession of precursor chemicals and manufacturing methamphetamine. Emily Boyd was arrested additionally on charges listed in the warrant Williams had come to the home to serve.

Another arrest conducted on Wednesday began when Lamar County narcotics investigators informed Pearl River County investigators that some Pearl River County residents were in Hattiesburg allegedly purchasing precursor chemicals. Saucier said the suspects were identified by Lamar County officers from previous dealings with the suspects. They were identified as Albert Haas, 48, of 11057 U.S. 11 Poplarville and Troy Underhill, 32, of 102 West Ida Ave., Poplarville.

A surveillance operation was set up near Underhill’s home, and when the investigators spotted the suspect vehicle, they conducted a stop. During the stop the investigators detected a strong chemical odor that is usually linked to methamphetamine production, Saucier said.

Inside the car the investigators found two glass pipes suspected to have been used in the use of methamphetamine along with lithium batteries and pseudoephedrine pills. Both suspects were charged with possession of precursor chemicals and possession of paraphernalia.

Once Underhill and Haas were brought to the jail, they were searched and jail personnel found a sock in Hass’ groin region containing Lortabs, pseudoephedrine pills and a cigarette box containing white powdery residue. In Underhill’s groin area, jail personnel found a plastic container with a white powder substance believed to be methamphetamine.

A search warrant was served on Hass’ residence where investigators found camp fuel, ammonium nitrate, lye, sulfuric acid and tin foil with burn residue on it.

Both suspects were ultimately charged with possession of precursor chemicals and possession of methamphetamine. Haas was charged additionally with possession of a controlled substance for the prescription medication.

The next day investigators using information and evidence collected over the past couple of weeks and on an anonymous tip went to the home of George S. Tarver, 32, of 34 Brandon Dr., Carriere. The information alleged that Tarver, Rodney Bilbo, 42, of 1001 Stemwood Dr., and Gene Powell, 30, of 84 McNeill McHenry Rd., would be manufacturing methamphetamine.

Saucier said the investigators spotted the suspect vehicle and followed it to Tarver’s home. The driver of the vehicle noticed the investigators and stopped. The investigators got out of their vehicle and approached the suspect vehicle. At that time the investigators saw a bag of ammonium nitrate and a pill grinder in plain view. The scene was secured and a search warrant was obtained.

In the search the investigators found camp fuel, Drano and carburetor cleaner in the vehicle. A large boat on the property was searched and investigators found two Oxycodone pills wrapped in plastic in a cigarette pack and a coffee filter with white powder residue in the boat’s bathroom.

All three suspects were charged with possession of precursor chemicals and Tarver was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance (Oxycodone).