Three men were arrested on drug charges Thursday in Artesia by the Lowndes County Narcotics Unit during the third phase of what law enforcement are calling “Operation: Cover Zero.”
Jirtauis Cox, 31, of Starkville, was charged with aggravated trafficking of MDMA, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, resisting arrest and possession of a firearm. Redmond Coney, 47, of Columbus was also charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm. Xavier Bonner, 31, also of Columbus, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of methamphetamine, along with trafficking charges, a Friday LCSO press release said.
During the operation, Coney attempted to flee from law enforcement on foot. He was believed to be carrying a firearm at the time. K-9 “Rocky” was deployed to apprehend Cox, which he was able to do without significant injury, the release said.
Thursday’s arrests were only one part of the operation, which targeted high crime and drug areas throughout the year, the release said.
During the overall operation, law enforcement made arrests for illicit narcotics and firearms.
Firearms included handguns, rifles, shotguns, and “Glock switches,” the release said. Glock switches allow a semi-automatic firearm to fire in a fully automatic capacity.
Sheriff Eddie Hawkins estimated in a text message to The Dispatch that the operation has resulted in about 13 felony arrests, along with other misdemeanor arrests.
“The sale of illicit drugs and the violence often associated with these crimes remain a pressing concern for our community,” Hawkins said in the release. “We’re sending a loud and clear message to criminals that commit these drug and violent crimes. We will partner with our local, state, and federal agencies and deploy our collective strength to ensure the safety and security of our neighborhoods and communities.”
The overall operation has included assistance from several LCSO divisions, along with state partners like the Starkville District Office of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop G, the release said. The operation was also aided by the Drug Enforcement Administration Oxford Resident Office and the Oxford Resident Office of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
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