Two more cases resulted in arrests as part of Picayune Police Department’s Operation Who’s Next.
The first case took place on Feb. 22, just before 3 p.m. when detectives served a search warrant at a home located at 715 S. Haugh Ave. Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said detectives were able to secure the warrant after successfully conducting an undercover buy at the home from 36-year-old Deon Dwight Parker, who lives at the South Haugh Avenue home.
After allegedly purchasing about a pound of marijuana, the officers served the warrant. As they made entry, they could detect the smell of marijuana, according to a release from the department.
Parker was located on a couch in the home during the search, and was subsequently arrested on the charge of sale of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet of a church, the release states.
More of a substance believed to be marijuana was found under the couch and $1,000 in cash was in Parker’s possession, the release states. Since the money was in close proximity to the narcotics, it was seized during the bust.
Another case took place on Feb. 24, at about 9 p.m. when officers became aware of another person suspected of selling illegal narcotics. Police reports state a meeting was set up to buy narcotics from the suspect.
When the detectives saw the suspect vehicle pull up to the meet point, they approached the vehicle and found 54-year-old Gregory Samuel Cook of 107 Jasmine Lane in the vehicle. When Cook saw the officers approach, he allegedly threw aluminum foil packets out the window. A pat down of Cook found a handgun in his jacket, the release states.
Officers recovered the foil, finding a brown powdery substance believed to be heroin inside, and a search of the vehicle found a used syringe, the report states.
Cook was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute while in possession of a firearm, conspiracy to sell a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a church, tampering with physical evidence, no driver’s license, no insurance, no seatbelt and possession of paraphernalia.