Due to a large number of community complaints, narcotics investigators with the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department were able to take a suspect into custody who was believed to have been distributing methamphetamine.
During their investigation, narcotic officers obtained a cell phone belonging to 36-year-old Charlie Smith of 111 West McClendon Street Apt. B, Poplarville, Pearl River County Sheriff David Allison said.
Investigators obtained a search warrant to gain access into the phone and evidence recovered led them to the suspect’s residence, for which they obtained another search warrant, the sheriff said.
Also during their investigation, narcotics detectives learned that Smith had a misdemeanor warrant for possession of marijuana and was a convicted felon, Allison said.
On Nov. 6 at 3:45 p.m., Pearl River County narcotics investigators, aided by agents from the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and officers with Poplarville Police Department, located and arrested Smith while he was walking across a convenience store parking lot in Poplarville, the sheriff said.
After taking the suspect into custody, law enforcement officers went to Smith’s residence and executed the search warrant, Allison said.
During the search, officers seized $258 in cash, four flat screen televisions, a surveillance system running nine cameras and two laptop cameras, Allison said.
“The surveillance system was seized because it appeared that Smith was utilizing the system for drug operations,” the sheriff said.
Officers also recovered what was believed to be marijuana, methamphetamine, paraphernalia, packaging items and scales, the sheriff said.
Smith was charge with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, Allison said.
After the search of the suspect’s residence, officers recovered evidence that Smith was also in possession of firearms, the sheriff said.
Officers continued their investigation in an attempt to locate the firearms Smith was allegedly observed to possess, Allison said.
The evidence led investigators to the suspect’s mother’s home at 61 Pittman Road in Poplarville, where officers seized one pistol, two rifles and three shotguns, the sheriff said.
Investigators also discovered evidence of Smith’s alleged involvement in an assault involving a firearm, the sheriff said.
The investigation is still ongoing and more charges are expected to be filed, Allison said.