A months-long investigation into a cross-state drug trafficking organization operated out of Lowndes County has led to the arrest of 12 suspects.
Larry Jones Jr., 46, of Columbus, the alleged leader of the operation, was arrested in March and charged with trafficking methamphetamine and conspiracy to traffick methamphetamine.
The investigation started in early 2024 through a collaboration with LCSO’s STING Unit, the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.
Investigators learned that Jones was operating a pill press out of Columbus capable of producing thousands of methamphetamine tablets each week. After the pills were produced, Jones and his co-conspirators allegedly trafficked the drugs to other distributors, the press release said.
Agents also identified several co-conspirators during the investigation who allegedly distributed the tablets throughout Mississippi, including in Columbus, Meridian, Jackson, Moss Point, and Greenwood, as well as other cities outside of the state.
Agents on March 27 executed a search warrant in Columbus, where a pill-pressing machine was seized. Jones was arrested and taken into federal custody, along with his alleged co-conspirator Allan Jones.
Federal indictments were secured against 14 other suspects for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine pills.
Agents carried out an operation on Thursday, arresting Mary Lee Jones, 43, of Columbus; Gregory Wells, 54, of Columbus; Leroy Malone, 52, of Columbus; Wy’lerra Staples, 25, of Columbus; Jakavion Griffin, 25, of Meridian; Marlon Warner, 49, of Jackson; Vincent Bailey, 47, of West Point; Varick Davis, 53, of Moss Point; Andre Farmer, 46, who was in custody at Lowndes County Adult Detention Center; and Alex Hill, 37, who was in custody at Clay County Jail.
Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said there are still additional arrests to be made. Agents expect more indictments may follow as the investigation continues, he said.
The suspects will be taken to Oxford, where they will be held at the Lafayette County Detention Center until their initial appearance before a federal magistrate in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi.
Allan Jones’ booking photo and age weren’t available by press time Thursday.
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