June 25, 2009
Contact: Special Agent Warren Rivera
Number: (504) 840-1070
Defendants in Mississippi Charged in Multi-Pound
Methamphetamine Conspiracy
JUN 25 -- Jackson, Miss - Acting United States Attorney Stan Harris, Mississippi Bureau of 
Narcotics Director Marshall Fisher, Drug Enforcement Administration New Orleans Field 
Division Special Agent in Charge Jimmy S. Fox III, (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in 
Charge, Joel K. Reece, Rankin County (District 20) District Attorney Michael Guest, and 
Pike County (District 14) District Attorney Dee Bates announce the culmination of a one 
year joint federal and state investigation targeting a large methamphetamine distribution 
organization operating in the State of Mississippi and elsewhere.
Members of this organization imported into and distributed up to 50 pounds of 
methamphetamine per month during the course of this conspiracy. Until today, this 
organization was the largest identified methamphetamine distribution enterprise 
operating in the State of Mississippi. It was a highly structured criminal organization 
that has a demonstrated history of violence to facilitate its drug trafficking activities.
On June 23, 2009, teams of state, local, and federal law enforcement officers 
arrested numerous defendants and executed multiple search warrants at locations in 
Walthall, Lincoln, Pike, Marion, Hinds, and Rankin Counties. Related enforcement 
operations were also conducted in Florida and Alabama today.
The arrests were the result of a joint investigation between the DEA Jackson Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Enforcement Group, and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. 
Also participating in the investigation were: the Lincoln, Marion, Pike, Rankin, and 
Walthall County Sheriff ' s Departments, the Brandon, Pearl, Richland, Florence and 
Ridgeland, Mississippi Police Departments, Hinds County (District 7) District Attorney 
Robert Shuler Smith, and Marion County (District 15) District Attorney Hal Kitrell. 
U.S. Marshal Nehemiah Flowers and the U.S. Marshal Service Gulf Coast 
Fugitive Force were also recognized for their assistance in arresting those indicted as 
part of the operation.
As a result of this investigation agents seized numerous pounds of methamphetamine with a street value exceeding 1.5 million dollars. Also seized were 5 vehicles (two of which had hidden compartments), 2 stolen motorcycles, 2 stolen 4-wheelers, over 50 firearms at least one of which is believed to be a fully automatic assault rifle, and 3 silencers. Additional arrests/indictments are anticipated as this investigation continues.
Acting U.S. Attorney Stan Harris praised the cooperative efforts of federal, state 
and local law enforcement. Harris noted that methamphetamine is one of the most 
highly addictive of all narcotics, and its production and distribution rank among the most 
destructive criminal enterprises in the State of Mississippi.
DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Mississippi Joel Reece stated that, 
"T his investigation and subsequent arrests of these individuals resulted in the complete 
dismantlement of a sophisticated drug trafficking organization responsible for the 
distribution of significant quantities of methamphetamine into Mississippi. This success 
can be attributed to an outstanding partnership between DEA and our state and local 
counterparts combined with guidance and aggressive prosecution from the United 
States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi, and the aforementioned 
District Attorneys. "
MBN Director Marshall Fisher stated that " this violent organization has operated 
with impunity for some time, and is responsible for distributing multi-pound quantities of 
Mexican methamphetamine over a significant period of time. We believe the arrests and 
successful prosecution of this entire organization will significantly impact the availability 
of this highly addictive illicit narcotic in the state of Mississippi.
Fisher added that " this investigation has been a team effort from its initiation. 
The tireless efforts of agents and prosecutors in this investigation have resulted in what 
may be the most significant blow to methamphetamine distribution in the history of 
Mississippi drug enforcement. To have simultaneous multi federal and state charges in 
so many different areas of our state is an indicator of the significance of the 
accomplishments in this investigation. "
As in any criminal case, a person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The charges filed merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.