A weeklong investigation by the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department narcotics division led to the arrest of two people.

Sheriff David Allison said the investigation began with community complaints that illegal narcotics activity was taking place in areas ranging from a home along Highway 13 in Lumberton all the way to George Pearson Road near Picayune.

As part of the investigation a stop was conducted on Dec. 4, near Savannah Millard Road and Monroe Breland Road where the investigators found Matthew Cody Ladner, 30, behind the wheel and 25-year-old Ella Lewis in the passenger seat. Allison said both suspects gave an address of 2313 Highway 13 Lumberton.

During the stop, a search of the vehicle located methamphetamine, marijuana and digital scales and gathered enough evidence to secure a search warrant for their home, Allison said. The search of the home found more methamphetamine, marijuana, plastic bags, three firearms and two sets of digital scales. Both suspects were arrested for two counts each of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute while in possession of a firearm and two counts of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, Allison said.

Since Ladner was later determined to have been convicted of a previous offense, he was additionally arrested for three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Allison said.