The Picayune Police Department arrested several alleged drug dealers on Sept. 8 with the help of other law enforcement agencies.

A long-term undercover operation by Picayune Police Department resulted in the arrests of six alleged dealers with the assistance of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security, Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Picayune Police Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said.

During the operation, the following suspects were taken into custody: Adonnis Smith, 47, of 221 Jarrel Street; Arlis Hawthorne, 34, of 603 Bolar Street; and Carrie Alligood, 19, of 211 Crosby Street. All three were charged with three counts of sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church. Patrick Johns, 39, of 619 Richardson Street, was charged with four counts of sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church, Magri said.

While the operation was taking place, Deontra Brown, 29 of 628 Charlotte Drive turned himself in to the Pearl River County jail for two counts of sale of controlled substance, Magri said.

While attempting to serve warrants at 2704 Victoria Drive, officers and agents witnessed a separate subject, later identified as Brian Taylor, 46, of that address, flee into the house, Magri said.

Officers and agents entered the house where they smelled what appeared to be marijuana, secured the residence and obtained a warrant, Magri said.

In one bedroom, officers and agents found several bags of a substance believed to be marijuana and two scales, Magri said.

Taylor was taken into custody for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet of school or church, Magri said.

Picayune Police Chief Bryan Dawsey said he would like to thank the DEA, Homeland Security, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and MHP for their assistance in this successful operation to remove several alleged high-level drug dealers off the streets of Picayune.

He would also like to thank his officers and detectives for their hard work on the ongoing operation. Dawsey said he expects more arrests to come.

Dawsey said he is determined to remove drug dealers from the city to make it a safer place and asks anyone with information concerning possible drug activity in their neighborhood to call the Picayune Police Department at 601-798-4682 or anonymously at 601-799-CLUE(2583).