A Tylertown man who was scheduled to stand trial next week on drug charges has been arrested for allegedly trying to arrange the murder of one of the witnesses set to testify against him, police said.

Glen Mark, 26, was arrested last summer on drug charges. He had been out of jail on bond before being arrested on the latest charges Wednesday.

Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director Marshall Fisher said Glen Mark, 26, is charged with conspiracy to commit capital murder.

MBN Capt. Mike Aldridge said Mark is being held in Walthall County jail without bond.

Aldridge said Mark was making plans to pay someone $5,000 to have the witness killed before he was to testify at Mark’s trial, which is scheduled to begin Tuesday.

Mark was arrested last year during a major narcotics sweep in Walthall County. He was charged with four felony drug charges, including sale of cocaine.

Police said they became aware of Mark’s plan to kill the witness in recent days and began an undercover operation to find out who all was involved.

When Mark was arrested Wednesday in Walthall County, he was had in his possession documents containing the witness’ telephone number and home address, police said. They also claimed he had marijuana.

Aldridge did not release the identity of the witness or say exactly what the witness was going to testify about. He said authorities are still investigating the murder-for-hire scheme and building evidence against the person whom Mark hired to carry out the killing. He believes others are involved. He said investigators are following leads that have led them to Washington and Tangipahoa parishes in Louisiana.

The witness was not hurt, Aldridge said, adding that occurrences like this are rare. He said the bureau takes threats to those who assist them seriously. Plotting to kill a state witness is a felony offense.

“We aggressively pursue any type of threats,” Aldridge said.