Major drug bust made by sheriff
One of the largest take downs of crystal methamphetamine distribution in Marshall County was made Wednesday netting large amounts of drugs, cash and equipment, according to Sheriff Kenny Dickerson.
Four men in Marshall County were arrested in the sting operation May 4, he said.
Thousands of dollars in cash were seized during the operation following a lengthy, two year investigation, he said.
Four subjects were charged with conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine and cocaine, he said. About four pounds of crystal methamphetamine, two pounds of cocaine and two pounds of marijuana were seized along with a large cache of shotguns and about $72,000 in cash were recovered in the operation. Additionally, a Harley Davidson motorcycle, cars, numerous late model zero turn John Deere lawnmowers, four-wheelers and pickups, one worth $90,000, were recovered, he said.
Dickerson said it is believed that a large portion of the seized equipment was purchased from proceeds due to drug activity.
Forty firearms, some handguns, and mostly expensive Browning and Remington shotguns were seized, some from a safe at one of the subjects house.
The serial numbers of all firearms have been checked on the NCIC (National Crime Information Center) in an effort to determine if any were stolen. If any are determined to have been stolen, they will be returned to their rightful owners.
The sheriff's department targeted these four individuals as major players in distribution of methamphetamine, Dickerson said.
“We targeted these four individuals as well as others about two years ago in an effort to try to prevent this illegal drug activity from going on in our county,” the sheriff said. “This investigation has been ongoing for about two years and continues. The arrest of several other individuals connected to this operation are expected soon.”
The warrants for the arrest of four individuals and search warrants were executed by circuit judge Gray Tollison, Tuesday, Dickerson said.
Those arrested included:
• Gregory Eugene Guy, 37, of the 2200 block of Rabbit Ridge Road in Byhalia. Guy was charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, namely the possession of an illegal controlled substance with intent to distribute (crystal methamphetamine) in the Marshall County, Miss., area. Guy was ordered held without bond by judge Tollison.
• Tavoris M. Tunstall, 40, of the booking address 140 block of French Road, Victoria/Byhalia, and the 200 block of Deer Lane in Marshall County area, the actual residence. He also faced the same charge and is being held without bond.
• Felix Richmond Jr., 45, of the 1500 block of French Road, Byhalia, facing the same charge. Bond was set at $500,000.
• Melvin B. Sykes, 53, of the 1700 block of Cayce Road, Byhalia, facing the same charge. Bond was set at $500,000.
The subjects can request a preliminary hearing or the court can set one for within three weeks of the initial appearance held hearing Friday, June 6 at 11 a.m. At the Marshall County Courthouse.
Dickerson said Marshall County Sheriff's Department was assisted in the arrest of these four individuals by the U.S. Marshal Service, Gulf Coast Fugitive Task Force and the DeSoto County SWAT team.