Several people were arrested by the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department for drug related offenses in separate cases.

On Feb 1, the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department narcotics detectives assisted Mississippi Department of Corrections officers with the inspection of a home where a person on probation lived.

Sheriff David Allison said that when the team arrived to the residence, located at 162 Bluebird Lane in Picayune, officers saw a vehicle leaving the residence driven by Jessica Longoria, 35, of 1092 River Road, Picayune.

Her vehicle was stopped and a check of her record determined Longoria had a warrant with the Pearl River County’s Sheriff’s Department, leading to her arrest for the offense.

The team later spoke with the owner of the residence Kent Smith, 36, who was on probation with MDOC, Allison said.

Inspection of the home found three other people inside, identified as Marc Rice, 21, of 162 Bluebird Lane, Summer Favre, 28, of 9 North Fork Drive and Josh Smith, 33, of 162 Bluebird Lane.

Allison said a search of the home found three firearms inside, leading to the arrest of Kent Smith, Favre, Rice and Josh Smith for possession of a weapon by convicted felon.

In a separate incident, on Feb 7, narcotics detectives served a search warrant at 1923 Highway 11 South for suspected drug activity. Allison said the home was a one room makeshift residence without power.

Allison said that during the search, the detectives found Nian Jordan, 47, of 1923 Highway 11 South and Melissa Bellanger, 34, 36990 Highway 11 in the structure, which was located near a church and school.

Officers found methamphetamine, scales and baggies on a table in a common area of the residence during the search along with a shotgun, Allison said.

As a result of the evidence found during the search, Jordan and Bellanger were arrested for the possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 1,500 ft. of a church, school and playground. Bellanger was also arrested for the possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

During a separate case worked Feb. 14, investigators narcotics division initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Larry Jason Gray, 40, of 28 John Amacker Road, Poplarville, after police records determined he had an outstanding warrant.

Allison said that during the stop, the detectives asked Gray to exit his vehicle and step to the back of his car. As he did, Gray allegedly tossed a bag containing a substance suspected to be methamphetamine in a ditch, Allison said. Gray was taken into custody and the detectives recovered the bag. While Gray was being arrested for the warrant, tampering with physical evidence and possession of methamphetamine, he made threatening remarks to the detective, leading to the additional offense of threatening a law enforcement officer. Allison said.