:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/grupoclarin/ZMTMOBK7IZCQLOHTHROSCDI4SE.jpg "About 40 people charged after drug trafficking investigation in eastern Mississippi")
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — About 40 people with connections in multiple states and Mexico were arrested Tuesday as a result of a four-year federal investigation that exposed multiple drug trafficking operations in eastern Mississippi, prosecutors announced. federal.
In 10 federal indictments filed in federal court for the Southern District of Mississippi, those arrested were accused of distributing methamphetamine, cocaine and other illegal drugs. The indictments establish several drug trafficking crimes, including possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and criminal conspiracy.
“To the drug dealers in East Mississippi who are still on the streets after today’s arrests, I have a simple message: Get out of the business or, as is the case with today’s arrests, you will eventually spend a large part of your life behind the bars,” Todd W. Gee, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi, said at a news conference.
During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized large quantities of methamphetamine in pill, liquid and crystal forms, as well as powder and rock cocaine, Gee said. Investigators also reported seizing money and firearms. In one of the operations, agents confiscated nearly $50,000 in cash, weapons and narcotics.
Some of the defendants were accused of having committed a methamphetamine-related crime in the presence of children. Others face charges of threatening to kill someone with an explosive device, prosecutors said.
The detained people are from Mississippi, California, Texas, Alabama and Mexico.