33 individuals arrested in Mississippi narcotics investigation

JACKSON, Miss. – 33 individuals were arrested as part of a sweeping law enforcement operation that targeted members of a drug trafficking organization responsible for the distribution of significant quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana in the Neshoba County, Mississippi area.

The arrests, conducted Friday and continuing over the weekend, were led by the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Neshoba County Sheriff’s office, the Philadelphia Police Department, the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration following a multi-year investigation in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans.

“The arrest culminating Operation High Life is a definitive example of the coalesced commitment among local, state and federal law enforcement to ensure public safety for all Mississippians,” said Colonel Steven A. Maxwell, Director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. “However, the seizure of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana is a clear indicator of how pervasive the drug culture is throughout our communities. These drugs were contributed to the loss of more than 500 Mississippians in 2020.”

The investigation, dubbed Operation High Life, is the result of ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) efforts, a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

Prior to today’s arrests, the ongoing investigation had resulted in 38 state and federal convictions and the seizure of 85 pounds of methamphetamine, 5 kilograms of cocaine, 270 pounds of marijuana, 300 dosage units of fentanyl and 16 firearms. The investigation’s most recent conviction occurred Wednesday, with the sentencing of Landon Marquale Dupree, 35, of Philadelphia, Mississippi, who was charged with and pled guilty in the Southern District of Mississippi to selling methamphetamine to an individual on July 15, 2019.  Dupree was sentenced to serve 189 months in federal prison, followed by eight years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $4,595 in restitution to the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.

“This operation protects our children and those in our communities from dangerous, destructive and deadly drugs and from the violence that comes with these criminal enterprises,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “The Attorney General’s Office will continue to partner with local, State and federal partners in efforts like this one to keep our communities safe and secure.”  

The principal OCDETF mission is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and enterprises. The operation was conducted in partnership with HSI Jackson, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Drug Enforcement Agency, Neshoba County District Attorney, Neshoba County Sheriff’s Office, the city of Philadelphia, Mississippi, Police Department, Mississippi Alcohol Beverage Control and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

“The damage caused by drugs and violence affects everyone across the nation, including here in Mississippi, said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the state of Mississippi Kevin Gaddy.  “The arrests today clearly demonstrate the combined strength that federal, state and local law enforcement agencies bring to bear in the battle against these violent drug dealers and strike a significant blow to their drug trafficking organizations.  By working together, we are leveraging our respective resources and expertise to achieve results that we could not accomplish on our own. We will continue to work with all of our law enforcement partners, to relentlessly pursue these violent criminals and drug traffickers plaguing our communities.”

The case is being prosecuted by Steven Kilgore, District Attorney, Eight Judicial District. The following individuals were charged under Mississippi law with conspiracy to commit a crime relative to narcotics possession and distribution. The narcotics involved in methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and prescription medications.

The defendants charged include:

Considered fugitives:

• John Netherland
• Caleb Smith
• Timothy Stewart
• Jaedeius “Dee” Peebles
• Shaun Dougherty