Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies have been collectively cracking down on crime in the Washington area, particularly drug-related offenses.
Last month, from Aug. 22-26, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Greenville Police Department, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Alcohol Beverage Control and the U.S. Marshals Service’s collaborative investigations led to a total of six felony charges.
Washington County assistant chief deputy Billy Barber shared the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics’ operational statistics with the Board of Supervisors at a regular meeting on Tuesday in lieu of their usual Monday meeting in observance of the Labor Day holiday.
“ABC, MBN, and the Greenville Police Department assisted with what we call a “roundup” throughout the cities of Washington County,” said Barber. “I think we were pretty successful — we ended up having six total felony arrests and got some guns off of the street. We got some narcotics off the streets and I’d just like to share with you the sheriff is planning on doing this event again.”
Barber said he believes the roundup made a significant difference.
According to the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics’ operational statistics, a total of nine misdemeanor charges were filed; a total of two felony warrant arrests were made; a total of four misdemeanor warrant arrests were made; and a total of two guns were seized in Washington County.
The filed charges accounted for the possession of 30.9 g of crack cocaine; possession of 7.8g of powder cocaine; possession of 43 g of marijuana; possession of 10.6g of marijuana; possession of 17g of marijuana; possession of 16 g of marijuana; and possession with intent to sell 67 bottles of beer.
District 4 Supervisor Mala Brooks commended the efforts of the law enforcement agency and reiterated the importance of such efforts.
She pointed out that one offenders was already out on bond for a previous drug-related offense and his bond was only $25,000 for the second offense.
“My concern is they are targeting children in junior and high and middle school,” said Brooks.
Barber noted discussions that were had during a recent conference in Canton about possibly arranging sit-downs with local students and visiting schools to inform them about the dangers of the various drugs, specifically fentanyl, being peddled around the community.
He added, “This stuff is serious and deadly — it’s killing people, children and grownups in record numbers.”
