A six-week investigation led to the arrest of a man suspected of selling marijuana.
Pearl River County Sheriff David Allison said narcotics detectives with his department began the investigation as a result of numerous tips that alleged illegal narcotics activity was ongoing at a home located at 639 Derby Whitesand Road, later determined to be the home of 53-year-old David Christian Pervel.
After several weeks of investigation, enough evidence had been collected to secure a search warrant for the residence, which was served on Feb. 19. Allison said the detectives serving the warrant found Pervel at the home along with another individual, identified as 34-year-old Christopher Weidert of 59 A. Burgetown Road.
In the search, the detectives found more than two pounds of high-grade marijuana, allegedly procured from Jackson County, Oregon, along with digital scales and some packaging materials commonly used in the resale of narcotics, Allison said.
Pervel was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, Allison said. During his arrest the officers discovered he also had a warrant out for his arrest with a Jackson County, Oregon law enforcement agency for kidnapping, domestic violence, assault and a number of other charges, Allison said. A call to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department in Oregon on Tuesday shows that Pervel has been indicted on the charges. Allison said that department put a hold on Pervel due to the indictment.
While officers were conducting the search of Pervel’s Pearl River County home, Weidert was found to be in possession of of a small amount of marijuana, leading him to be charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and a probation violation warrant with the Mississippi Department of Corrections, Allison said.
The sheriff estimates the marijuana seized from Pervel’s home had a street value of about $8,000.
Allison said this will not be the only arrest to take place over the next few weeks. Over the past year his detectives have been working on cases against 55 suspects in this county for selling a controlled substance. Allison estimates between those 55 suspects, about 100 charges are going to be filed.
“I would like to thank the employees of the sheriff’s department, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation who have helped with this year-long investigation,” Allison said.
If anyone knows someone with a drug problem, Allison said family members can help that individual seek help through the Pearl River County Chancery Court where they can receive addiction treatment free of charge. The process will involve the person being committed through the court to receive that treatment, Allison said.