Since Dec. 4, narcotics detectives with the Picayune Police Department have arrested 12 more people on drug related charges as part of the Picayune Police Department’s ongoing investigation labeled Operation: Who’s Next?
On Dec. 15 at 12:47 a.m., Picayune narcotics detectives worked an undercover operation at 1519 Goodyear Blvd., Picayune Assistant Police Chief Jeremy Magri said.
During the operation, undercover detectives purchased a substance believed to be heroin from an individual at the residence, Magri said. After the purchase, detectives observed a vehicle pull up to the home in order to make what they believed to be another narcotics transaction, the assistant police chief said.
After the vehicle left the residence, detectives attempted to make a traffic stop, Magri said.
Upon activation of the officer’s patrol lights and sirens, the vehicle fled several blocks down Goodyear Boulevard and then turned north on Highway 11, failing to stop for numerous police vehicles, Magri said.
Officers pursued the vehicle for another several blocks, Magri said.
With assistance from Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department patrol officers, the vehicle stopped on Highway 11 near Carol Street, the assistant police chief said.
While getting out of the vehicle, the driver, later identified as Mark Rush Jr., 34, of 17430 Highway 603, Kiln, struggled with officers, Magri said.
During the struggle, officers asked Rush to stop resisting arrest, which the suspect failed to do, the assistant police chief said.
Rush was charged with sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church, failure to yield to blue lights and sirens, reckless driving, resisting arrest by fighting, disorderly conduct and no insurance, Magri said.
The passenger of Rush’s vehicle, 59-year-old Steven Reinchuck of 17087 Cuevas Road, Kiln, was searched after he exited the vehicle, Magri said.
Officers discovered one plastic baggy containing a brown substance believed to be heroin, the assistant police chief said. Reinchuck was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, the assistant police chief said.
As a result of the undercover purchase and transaction at 1519 Goodyear Blvd., narcotics detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence and immediately returned to serve the warrant, Magri said.
Upon entry into the home, detectives observed numerous people inside and issued commands for everyone to get on the floor, the assistant police chief said.
At that time, 30-year-old Jacob Kipker of 1901 Audubon Drive; 31-year-old Joshua Kipker of 14 Pepper Mill Road, Carriere; 32-year-old Brandy Rowell of 1727 Ceasar Road, Carriere; 24-year-old Carli Penton of 1519 Goodyear Blvd.; 27-year-old Lindsey Wilson of 83 Bass Road, Carriere; 32-year-old Stephen Delaney of 10 Sage Lane, Carriere and 31-year-old Jason House of 1519 Goodyear Blvd., ran out of the residence on foot in different directions, Magri said.
Officers and Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department patrol deputies, who came to assist with search warrant, gave chase and took all subjects into custody, Magri said.
They were charged with disorderly conduct, failure to comply and resisting arresting by fleeing, the assistant police chief said.
After a search of the residence, which belongs to House, narcotic detectives located the narcotic suboxone films, several used syringes, several piles of a loose green, leafy substance believed to be marijuana and a brown powdered substance believed to be heroin, Magri said.
Picayune narcotics detectives also learned that House had attempted to flush what was believed to be heroin down the toilet, Magri said.
House was additionally charged with the sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church, tampering with physical evidence, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia, the assistant police chief said.
On Dec. 4 at 5 p.m., Picayune narcotics detectives went to 134 Greenview Drive in an attempt to serve an outstanding warrant on Gary Jolly, 41, for the sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church, Magri said.
When they drove up to the residence, officers observed what they believed to narcotics related activity, Magri said.
Detectives then obtained a search warrant for the residence and returned to execute it, Magri said.
During a search of the home, detectives discovered nine bags with a green, leafy substance believed to be marijuana, one bag of a crystal-like substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine and a set of digital scales, Magri said.
In addition to the warrant, Jolly was also charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet of a school or church, the assistant police chief said.
On Dec. 14, 29-year-old Kenneth Banks of 602 Richard St., was charged with sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church. On that same day, 29-year-old Candace Neely of 973 Shirley Drive, was arrested for an outstanding warrant for sale of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church. Both arrests were also a result of Operation: Who’s Next.
Chief Bryan Dawsey said he would like to thank the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department patrol shift working that night for their assistance in reference to the Dec. 14 incident.
Dawsey added he would also like to thank the men and women of the Picayune Police Department for their continued effort in attempting to rid the city of drugs and continuing to make Picayune a safe place to live. He said he also has a message for local drug dealers, “Who’s Next?”