Three people were jailed Friday as the result of an ongoing drug investigation that Marion County Sheriff Berkley Hall called “a good lick to the drug traffic in the Improve community.”
“Thanks to the guys for working on this. They’ve been working on it for a while,” he said. “I want people to know that we’re going to continue the war on drugs in Marion County. Drugs are destroying our community. It’s an epidemic in this country, and it’s destroying lives.”
Sheriff’s Capt. Pete Williams said deputies had received information that narcotics were being sold from 855 Improve Road and made several purchases from the house before serving a search warrant last week.
“The Marion County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team secured the residence and its occupants,” Williams said. “Those occupants were identified as Dennis Rosa Ferreira, 48, of Columbia, Latitia Nicole Harrison, 41, of Hattiesburg, and Ronnie Gipson, 57, of Columbia.”
“While searching the residence, we found and seized ½ ounce of methamphetamine, ½ ounce of marijuana, bagging materials, scales, a large amount of cash and a firearm,” Williams said. “We also seized a car, a Ford Mustang, that was used in the commission of the felonies. All three were taken into custody.”
Ferreira was charged with two counts of sale or transfer of a controlled substance and two counts of possession with intent to distribute while in possession of a firearm. His bond was set at $150,000 on all of the charges. Gipson and Harrison were each charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute while in possession of a firearm. Their bonds were both set at $120,000.
Deputies also made another arrest at the scene.
“We also charged Willie Lee Johnson, 61, of Purvis, with driving under the influence,” Williams said. “He drove up just prior to our arrival.”
Hall urged those with information on drug sales or manufacturing to contact the Sheriff’s Office.
“If you’ve got information, we’d love to have it,” the sheriff said. “If you see a lot of activity in a certain area, let us know. We have a tip line on our website where you can stay anonymous, or you can call Crimestoppers. It’s kept confidential.”
The link to provide tips can be found on the Marion County website, w ww.co.marion.ms.us. Crimestoppers can be contacted at (601) 582-STOP (7867) or the state hotline at 1-888-8CRIMES.
“We’re aware that this is going on all over the county,” Hall concluded. “We’re doing all we can to combat it.”
