Picayune narcotics detectives recently arrested 11 people on drug related charges during phase three of the Picayune Police Department’s ongoing investigation dubbed Operation: Who’s Next?

After conducting a yearlong investigation focusing on alleged drug activity in Picayune, detectives have arrested a total of 22 suspects who are facing drug related charges and police say more arrests are coming.

“This is still an ongoing investigation. There are still numerous suspects we’re looking for as part of the operation,” Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said.

On Oct. 26, narcotics detectives conducted surveillance of an apartment at 1200 Holly Street Apt. #4 at 2:35 p.m. in an attempt to serve an outstanding warrant to the apartment’s resident, 24-year-old Christopher Black, for the sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church, Magri said.

Upon arrival, detectives observed Black, along with another male suspect, 27-year-old Harris Gremillion III of 124 Cliff Mitchell Road, sitting inside a vehicle parked outside the apartment. Detectives took Black and Gremillion into custody after they learned Gremillion had outstanding warrants for leaving the scene of an accident, Magri said.

In another case, on Oct. 27 at 11:50 p.m., narcotics detectives were working an undercover operation at a local business located on West Union Road after receiving numerous complaints about alleged narcotics activities, Magri said. During the operation, detectives observed what they believed to be a transaction occurring between a suspect identified as 30-year-old Michael Seals of 794 Beach Road in Poplarville and 23-year-old Aaron McWilliams of 77 Cary Kirkland Road in Poplarville. After both men were taken into custody, detectives searched McWilliams’ vehicle and found a black valve containing a crystallized substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine, a one dollar bill rolled up containing a crystalized substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine and a pink bag containing a crystalized substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine, Magri said.

McWilliams was charged with conspiracy to sell a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church. Seals was charged with the sale of a controlled substance, Magri said.

In another case, on Oct. 29, the department placed a hold on 55-year-old Jeanine Deshazo of 2401 East Canal St. for Rankin County prison for an outstanding warrant on the charge of a controlled substance, Magri said.

On Nov. 10, officers drove to 715 S. Haugh Ave. Apt. G55 in an attempt to serve three outstanding warrants to 28-year-old Christian Cooper of the same address for the sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church, Magri said.

Cooper was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet of a school or church after detectives found digital scales and several bags containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana inside the home, Magri said.

On Nov. 12, narcotics detectives took 28-year-old Megan Winterstein of 1705 Lasha Road Apt. #6 into custody at the police department for an outstanding warrant for conspiracy to sell a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church, Magri said.

In another case, narcotics detectives conducted an undercover operation at a local business on Highway 43 North on Nov. 12 after receiving numerous complaints concerning drug activity in the area, Magri said. While at the location, detectives observed what they believed to be a narcotics transaction inside a vehicle between 20-year-old Bomani Spikes of 1201 Pinewood Drive and 27-year-old Cordaro Hall of 1207 Pinewood Drive, Magri said.

Detectives recovered a plastic bag containing a crystallized substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine and a hand wrapped cigar containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana inside the vehicle, Magri said.

Both men were charged with the sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church and possession of a controlled substance, Magri said.

Also on Nov. 12, detectives conducted surveillance on a local business on West Union Road in reference to numerous complaints about alleged narcotic transactions, Magri said. During the operation, detectives observed a transaction occurring inside a vehicle and made contact with the driver, 37-year-old Aaron Knight of 365 John Amacker Road in Carriere, Magri said.

During a search of the vehicle, detectives recovered a plastic bag containing a crystallized substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine and a plastic bag containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana inside the vehicle. They also found a second bag containing a crystallized substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine and a couple of prescription pills identified as alprazolam, which is identified as a controlled substance, Magri said.

Detectives also recovered a hand rolled cigarette containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana from Knight’s person, Magri said.

As a result, Knight was charged with the sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church, two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet of a school or church and possession of marijuana inside a motor vehicle, Magri said.

Most recently, on Nov. 13 at 10:48 a.m., narcotics detectives conducted a traffic stop on Main Street and Rosa Street. At that time, 29-year-old Ransom Perkins of 1103 Merrydale Drive, who was wanted for three counts of the sale of a controlled substance, was taken into custody, Magri said.

Chief Bryan Dawsey said he would like to thank the men and women of the department for their hard work in continuing to rid the city of drugs.