Undercover narcotics detectives with the Picayune Police Department are continuing Operation Fall Sweep, making several arrests in early October.
At 5:48 p.m. on Oct. 3, a narcotics detective conducted an investigation in front of a local business on Highway 43 North after receiving numerous complaints about alleged drug deals, Picayune Police Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said.
While at the scene, the detective observed what he believed to be a drug transaction, Magri said.
The detective approached the suspect, later identified as Jessica Williams, 34, of 37 Mars Island Road, and located a plastic bag containing a crystalized substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine in the right passenger door of her vehicle, Magri said.
Williams was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet of a school or church. Upon investigation, it was also discovered Williams was driving with a suspended license and failed to produce proof of insurance and was subsequently arrested for those charges, Magri said.
In a separate incident on Oct. 3 at 12:49 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop at Memorial Boulevard at a gas station for an improper headlight, Magri said.
Upon speaking with driver, later identified as Sonny Smith, 29, of 25670 Pinecrest Dr., he told the officer he had a gun in his vehicle. The officer asked Smith to exit the vehicle and asked him if he was in possession of any other weapons. Smith said he might have a knife in his pocket, at which time the officer conducted a pat down, Magri said. The officer felt an unusual object in Smith’s right pant leg pocket and retrieved a silver container with a small clear bag of a crystalized substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine inside, a bag of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana and two pills identified as hydrocodone, Magri said. Smith was taken into custody and upon retrieval of the firearm, the National Crime Information Center database revealed it was stolen.
At this time, Smith was arrested for two counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of a stolen firearm, Magri said.
In a third incident at 12:50 p.m. on Oct. 4, narcotics detectives served a warrant to Marcus Adams, 32, of 715 S. Haugh Ave., for five counts of sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church, Magri said.