A Picayune Police Department undercover narcotics investigation resulted in the arrest of four suspects for several felonies last week.
On Jan. 3, at 10:30 a.m. Picayune narcotics detectives conducted an undercover operation in response to information concerning an alleged drug transaction, Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said.
During the operation, detectives learned that Lance Clark, 27, of 6991 Highway 11 North, Carriere, and Jason Lossette, Sr. 46, of 740 Sycamore Road, Carriere, were allegedly conspiring to sell Suboxone in a local parking lot, Magri said.
Investigation into the complaint also revealed that Julia Miller, 70, and Jennifer McCourt, 35, both of 4 Preacher Hill Road, were allegedly going to transport the controlled substance to Lossette in the parking lot, Magri said.
Detectives conducted surveillance on the parking lot, at which time they observed a meeting between McCourt, Miller and Lossette in the parking lot; Clark was not observed at the scene, Magri said.
During the surveillance operation, detectives observed an alleged hand-to-hand transaction between Lossette and McCourt before both vehicles left the scene, traveling east on Highway 43 North, Magri said.
A traffic stop was conducted on both suspect vehicles at Highway 43 North near Interstate 59, Magri said.
Upon approaching Lossette’s vehicle, detectives asked the suspect to step out of the vehicle, at which time they observed a black eyeglass case next to the driver’s seat.
The case allegedly contained paraphernalia, including syringes, burnt spoons and glass pipes. Also in the vehicle, detectives located a plastic bag containing a crystalized substance believed to be methamphetamine, Magri said.
He said detectives also recovered 17 Suboxone strips from Lossette’s person.
Lossette was arrested for two counts of conspiracy to sell a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of school or church, felony possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia. He is being held on an $82,500 bond.
When detectives spoke with occupants of the second vehicle, driven by McCourt, they observed a 3-month-old child in a car seat, later determined to be McCourt’s child. McCourt and Miller, the passenger, were asked to exit the vehicle, Magri said.
During a search of the vehicle, detectives located two boxes from the center console, which contained 30 films of Suboxone each, he said.
Detectives also learned that McCourt did not have proof of insurance and there was no tag on her vehicle, Magri said.
McCourt was arrested for sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet of a school or church, conspiracy to sell a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church, child abuse by allowing a child’s presence during a drug sale, no tag and no insurance. She is being held on a $140,750 bond, Magri said.
Miller was arrested for sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet of a school or church, conspiracy to sell a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church, and child abuse by allowing a child’s presence during a drug sale. She is being held on a $140,500 bond.
The Department of Human Services was called, who took custody of the child until the father was contacted, Magri said.
All three suspects were transported to the Criminal Justice Center. That same day, detectives arrested Clark at his residence for conspiracy to sell a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church, Magri said. He was released on a $15,000 bond.