Sheriff’s Department arrests several in suspected drug ring
Published 7:00 am Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Moak
Boone
Bonhomme
Bester
Thomas
Several suspects were arrested and about eight pounds of methamphetamine were confiscated in a bust operation conducted by the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department with assistance from the Biloxi Police Department.
Sheriff David Allison said the case was the culmination of several months of investigative work into the alleged sale of controlled substances by 34-year-old Dewayne Allen Bester, of 270 Covenant Square Drive, Apt. 3, Biloxi. Allison said the investigation, code named “Operation Hide and Seek,” determined that Bester was part of a drug trafficking operation that was conducting business in Harrison and Pearl River counties. Evidence collected in the investigation showed that Bester was allegedly providing several Pearl River County residents with large amounts of methamphetamine.
On Jan. 23, investigators with the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department and Biloxi Police Department served a warrant at Bester’s home in Biloxi. In that search, the investigators found five pounds of methamphetamine, a stolen firearm, distribution amounts of marijuana and hydrocodone and about $41,000 in cash. A Lexus belonging to Bester was also seized as part of the operation, Allison said. In the home at the time of the search was 27-year-old Miranda Shanikiqua-Damn Bonhome, who allegedly lives in the apartment with Bester. She was arrested for trafficking methamphetamine, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of hydrocodone with intent to distribute and possession of a stolen firearm. Bester was arrested for trafficking methamphetamine, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of hydrocodone with intent to distribute, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and possession of stolen firearm. Allison said Bester was also charged with three outstanding warrants from agencies in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Later that same day, investigators with the Sheriff’s Department served warrants on Pearl River County residents who allegedly had ties to Bester’s operation, Allison said.
The first of those warrants was served at a home along Shirley Dr., the home of Bester’s mother. In that home, the investigators found three more pounds of methamphetamine. Bester’s mother was not arrested because the investigation shows that she was unaware Bester had stored the substance in her home, Allison said.
Then, warrants were served at the home of Keith Boone, 37, of 137 First Street, Nicholson for possession of stolen property, receiving stolen property, possession of paraphernalia and a probation violation with the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
Investigators also served a warrant at the home of Rex Moak, 58, of 177 Koch Rd., for possession of methamphetamine and five counts of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Another suspect allegedly involved in this case is 54-year-old Andrew M. Thomas, who gave an address of 182 Albert Mitchell Rd., Nicholson during booking. However, Allison said Thomas was arrested at a home located at 110 Albert Mitchell Rd., for a warrant for possession of paraphernalia.
Allison said that as the investigation continues, he expects more arrests will occur.
He would like to thank the Biloxi Police Department for cooperating in the investigation to help stem the flow of illegal narcotics in the county and his own investigators for all their hard work in this case.
