A week-long investigation by the Pearl River County Narcotics Division led to the arrest of nine suspects on a total of 48 felony charges.

“Three separate properties were searched after narcotics investigators began receiving various complaints of the suspects conspiring together to obtain precursor chemicals to manufacture methamphetamine,” said Chief Investigator Donnie Saucier.

On June 3, officers executed a search warrant at the residence of Derwood D. Duncan, 47, and Jeremy K. Sones, 37, at 786 John Amacker Rd., Poplarville, Saucier said.

During the search, evidence was recovered showing that on that day Duncan and Sones, along with Hailey L. Pounds, 32, and Lisa G. Jones, 44, both of 6661 Mississippi Highway 43 North, Poplarville, had all conspired to manufacture methamphetamine and had manufactured methamphetamine, Saucier said.

“They were further found to have been in possession of precursor chemicals,” Saucier said. “They had also generated hazardous materials during the manufacturing of methamphetamine.”

Duncan and Sones were arrested and charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of precursor chemicals and generation of hazardous waste, the chief investigator said.

Pounds and Jones were not arrested that day and their arrest warrants were issued the following day for the same charges as those levied against Duncan and Sones, Saucier said. “Jones’ charges will be presented to the next grand jury,” he said.

On June 4, officers executed arrest warrants on Pounds and Jones at 6661 Miss. Hwy. 43N, he said.

“During the execution of the arrest warrants on Pounds and Jones, investigators recovered methamphetamine, precursors and hazardous materials,” Saucier said.

Pounds and Jones were charged with the warrants from the previous day and additionally charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of precursor chemicals and generation of hazardous waste, Saucier said.

At the time of the warrant execution of Pounds and Jones, Raymond A. Hartfield, 43, of 15300 Fisher Rd., Franklinton, La., was present at the residence and also was charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of precursor chemicals and generation of hazardous waste.

On June 7, in an attempt to make contact with Rodney Smith, 37, and Pounds, investigators and officers from the Mississippi Department of Corrections went to 1346 John Amacker Rd., Poplarville, to follow-up on information in reference to the ongoing investigation, Saucier said.

“Upon arrival, officers located an active meth lab near the back door of the residence,” he said. “The meth lab was secured and the search warrant for the property was applied for and received.”

Present at the residence were Trevor Sones, 21; Emily A. Burge, 29, and Eden D. Ponthieux, 22, all of Poplarville.

During the search, evidence was recovered showing that Smith and Pounds, Sones, Burge and Ponthieux had conspired to manufacture methamphetamine and “in fact, had manufactured methamphetamine,” Saucier said. They were also in possession of precursor chemicals and had generated hazardous materials, he said.

Sones, Burge and Ponthieux were arrested at the scene, said Saucier.

“Contact was made with Smith and Pounds in reference to them turning themselves in,” Saucier said.

Investigators then learned that Smith and Pounds had hidden their vehicle in the woods on Homer Ladner Road in Carriere and caught a ride to flee the area, Saucier said. They were trying to avoid contact with law enforcement, he said.

Smith and Pounds were later located and arrested at 89 Ruston Rd., Carriere, Saucier said.

Sones, Burge, Ponthieux, Smith and Pounds were all charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of precursor chemicals and generation of hazardous waste, Saucier said.

Pounds posted bail on June 6, when she was arrested again on June 7, she was not given a bond and is still in custody at the Pearl River Correctional Facility, Saucier said.