Two undercover narcotics operations conducted on Feb. 1 led to four drug-related arrests by the Picayune Police Department.
At about 10 a.m. that day, undercover narcotics detectives were informed that a suspect, identified as Deria Ormondo Brown, 25, of 715 South Haugh Avenue, Apartment #L43, was allegedly going to be involved in a narcotics transaction of about 15 grams of brown heroin, a departmental release states.
Brown told the undercover detective that another suspect, identified as Michael Duane Peters, also known as “G Boo,” 39, of 1201 Brookdale Drive, would allegedly sell Brown the narcotics at a local store located at 795 Memorial Blvd, the release states.
Undercover detectives made contact with Peters and Brown outside of the business, at which time they fled into the store, according to the release.
Detectives observed Peters head to the back of the store where he locked himself inside the bathroom, the release states.
Brown ran to the rear of the store where detectives observed him throw and smash his cell phone on the ground and allegedly throw a handful of what appeared to be a green leafy substance in the air.
Another undercover detective apprehended Brown near the back of the store, the release states.
Brown and Peters were arrested for conspiracy to sell a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet of a school or church. Brown is being held on a $120,000 bond. Peters is being held on a $76,000 bond, according to arrest reports.
In a separate incident that same day, an undercover narcotics officer was informed of a potential narcotics transaction set to take place at 6472 Highway 11 North at 3:19 p.m., a departmental release states.
Detectives set up surveillance of the area, where they observed the suspect, identified as Katherine Irene Smith, 39, of 13 Green Tree Drive, make contact with a second suspect, identified as James Marion Smith, 43, of 6115 North Beech St., the release states.
While James Smith was sitting in a gold Chevrolet Silverado, the detectives observed him allegedly sell Katherine Smith three Roxycodone 30 milligram pills. Detectives then observed Katherine Smith walk to the other side of the business, at which time she allegedly sold the narcotics to the undercover detective, the release states.
At that time, detectives made contact with James and Katherine Smith. Detectives searched James Smith’s vehicle, where they located a .38 caliber revolver and additional Roxycodone pills, according to the release.
According to jail records, Katherine Smith was arrested for sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church. James Smith was arrested for sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church while in possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church while in possession of a firearm. James Smith is being held on a $160,500 bond and Katherine Smith is being held on a $30,000 bond.