WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: 35 more arrested in methamphetamine ring bust

35 more arrested in methamphetamine ring bust

By Howard Ballou - bio | email

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agents continued to round up suspects as they complete their investigation into the largest ever methamphetamine ring. 

There are now 35 more suspects facing serious drug charges and federal court in downtown Hattiesburg has been busy with a full docket.

More than a dozen accused dope offenders made their way into a federal courtroom Wednesday afternoon facing federal drug charges.  Almost 50 suspects rounded up statewide; many from the Jackson metro area, including Rankin and Hinds counties.

Eighteen are charged and indicted on the federal level.  Seventeen went before Magistrate Judge Michael Parker for their initial appearance.

During Tuesday's press conference at the U.S. Attorney's Office, law enforcement agency spokesmen said this has been a textbook investigation with more than 150 street level arrests along the way, leading to the criminal jackpot. 

"The significance of this today is we took down the entire organization and it happens with a lot of coordinated effort," said MBN Director Marshall Fisher.

It took about 2 1/2 hours for the suspects to hear their charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.  They were either appointed a court attorney or had already hired a private defender.

The group is accused of distributing as much as 50 pounds of meth a month throughout the Magnolia State and there is believed to be a Mexican connection.  Seized in the course of the investigation, about 50 pounds of Mexican "Ice" methamphetamine with a street value of more than $1.5 million dollars, vehicles, weapons about $60,000 dollars cash.

The suspects are being held at the Forrest County jail.  A detention hearing is set for Monday morning when they will also be arraigned. 

The investigation, dubbed "Rankin Ice" in Central Mississippi and "Operation Batman" in Southwest Mississippi began about a year-and-half ago.  If convicted, each suspect faces anywhere from 10-years to life in prison plus a $4 million fine.