News Summary
In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, law enforcement authorities in Lowndes County executed one of the largest drug busts in history, resulting in the arrest of fourteen suspects involved in the distribution of methamphetamine pills. The operation targeted a drug trafficking organization believed to be producing thousands of meth-laced tablets weekly. With the support of various federal and state agencies, this operation underscores the collaboration needed to dismantle complex drug operations threatening community safety.
Columbus, Mississippi – In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, a major joint investigation led to the arrest of over a dozen suspects in one of the largest drug busts in Lowndes County history. The operation culminated in the arrest of fourteen individuals, all facing federal charges for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine pills.
The investigation, which began in early 2024, was spearheaded by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office STING Unit, with support from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN). Law enforcement focused on a drug trafficking organization (DTO) headed by Larry Jones, Jr., a resident of Lowndes County, believed to have been producing thousands of meth-laced tablets weekly using an industrial pill press.
On March 27, 2025, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at a location in Columbus, leading to the seizure of the industrial pill press, which had the capacity to produce hundreds of thousands of tablets. Larry Jones, Jr., along with co-conspirator Allan Jones, was arrested and taken into federal custody.
The arrested individuals, who were taken into custody during a coordinated operation involving agents from the Lowndes County Narcotics Unit, DEA, MBN, and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, include:
- Mary Lee Jones, 43, Columbus, MS
- Gregory Wells, 54, Columbus, MS
- Leroy Malone, 52, Columbus, MS
- Wy’lerra Staples, 25, Columbus, MS
- Jakavion Griffin, 25, Meridian, MS
- Marlon Warner, 49, Jackson, MS
- Vincent Bailey, 47, West Point, MS
- Varick Davis, 53, Moss Point, MS
- Andre Farmer, 46, currently in custody at the LCADC
- Alex Hill, 37, currently in custody at the Clay County Jail
The suspects were transported to the U.S. District Court in Oxford, Mississippi, where they will remain at the Lafayette County Detention Center until their initial court appearances. The operation underscores a collaborative effort among multiple law enforcement agencies to dismantle complex drug operations that have expanded their reach across several states. The DTO led by Jones was known to distribute methamphetamine pills in locations not only throughout Mississippi but also in Memphis, Tennessee, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins recognized the importance of this operation, stating that dismantling such organizations is crucial for the safety of the community. He emphasized the successful partnerships with federal and state agencies and the assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Mississippi.
The investigation remains active, with authorities indicating that there may be potential for more arrests and indictments in the future. Law enforcement agencies are committed to continuing their efforts to combat drug trafficking and protect communities from the dangers associated with illegal drugs.
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Additional Resources
- Dark Horse Press Now: Major Drug Trafficking Operation
- Wikipedia: Drug Trafficking
- WCBI: Drug Trafficking Operation Arrests
- Google Search: Lowndes County Drug Trafficking
- Lowndes Signal: Drug-Related Charges
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Drug Enforcement
- Valdosta Today: Narcotics Arrest after Traffic Stop
- Google News: Drug Arrests Lowndes County
- WTVA: Raids Result in Drug Arrests
- Google Scholar: Drug Trafficking Arrests Lowndes County
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