Sheriff’s dept. arrests six during search warrants
Published 7:00 am Saturday, May 17, 2014
The Pearl River County Sheriff Department’s narcotics team executed two search warrants, which led to the arrest of six suspects, said Sheriff David Allison.
Allison said the search warrants stemmed from an investigation to determine if the six suspects were involved in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.
The first search warrant was served at 102 Margaret St. in Nicholson and was conducted at 8:15 p.m. on May 6, Allison said.
Three suspects, Amos W. Earnest, 42 of 1094 River Rd., George H. Gwinn, 49 of102 Margaret St., and Jody L. Bray, 42 of 102 Margaret St., were all found inside the residence actively manufacturing methamphetamine, Allison said.
Allison said, during the search of the residence, they recovered several methamphetamine labs and precursor chemicals.
All three suspects were arrested for manufacture of a controlled substance, conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance, possession of precursor chemicals, generation of hazardous waste and possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute, Allison said.
The second search warrant was served later that night at 10:18 at 1094 River Rd. in Nicholson, Allison said.
He said three suspects, Dean A. Earnest, 24, of 1094 River Rd., Lucious A. Brown, 24, of 139 Donald Penton Rd., and Brittany McGee, 24, of 139 Donald Penton Rd. were found inside the residence.
During the execution of the search warrant, an inactive methamphetamine lab was discovered, Allison said.
All three suspects were arrested for manufacture of a controlled substance and conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance, Allison said.
Both search warrants produced a total of 21 felony charges, Allison said.
He also said the investigation is ongoing and an affidavit has been filed on five more suspects, which could produce an additional 10 felony charges.
“I want to thank my narcotics investigators for all the hard work they do to slow the production of narcotics in the county,” Allison said. “We’re going to continue to make fighting the drug problem in the county a top priority and rid the county of people manufacturing or bringing drugs into county.”
Allison said these investigations were prompted after receiving community complaints about suspected drug activity. He said the community should call the sheriff’s department if they suspect there is drug activity in the neighborhood.
“We need them to be our eyes and ears,” Allison said.