IPD, assisting agencies complete massive drug bust

A citywide raid smoked out nearly a dozen alleged drug offenders on Wednesday as law enforcement officials from various agencies across the state teamed up with the Indianola Police Department to take a bite out of crime.

In a maneuver that Chief Edrick Hall called Operation New Generation, officers from the Sunflower County Sheriff's Department, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Greenville Police Department Special Operations Unit and the U.S. Marshalls converged on the city and executed a collection of “no-knock warrants” on the residents of several suspected drug dealers.

As a result, six people were arrested and charged, three more were arrested with charges pending and at least six others have yet to be apprehended, however Hall said drug-related charges will be filed when the sought-after six are arrested.

According to Hall the following persons were booked into the county jail on Wednesday, Walter Roscoe, 600 Walker St., was arrested and charged with two counts, sale of marijuana, and one count of conspiracy to commit a crime.

Tracy Corner, 206 Forrest St., was arrested and charged with one count, sale of marijuana and one count of possession of marijuana.

Hubert Carpenter, 206 Cox St., was arrested and charged with two counts, sale of cocaine.

Draven Ross, 112 Galaxie Drive was arrested and charged with the sale of marijuana.

Christopher Dixon, 304-A Beale St., was arrested and charged with two counts, sale of marijuana and one count of possession of marijuana with intent to sell.

Derrick Jackson, 103 Davis Cove was arrested and charged with one count, sale of marijuana and one count, sale of ecstasy.

In addition, Hall said Crystal Stevenson, Melissa Johnson and Eric Hodges were also arrested, although the specific charges are pending.

Hall said Wednesday’s actions were initiated by the Indianola Police Department although he solicited the help of the other agencies to carry it out. “The sheriff was a great help tonight,” Hall said. He praised Sheriff James Haywood for not only supplying deputies to assist, but he said Haywood personally came out and helped with the booking process to help expedite.

Although the surprise tactical move got several offenders off the streets, Hall said they are not done. He is still looking for Michael Roscoe, 600 Walker St.; Randy Young, 637 Garrard Ave,; Randolyn Fant, 107 Whittington Drive; Tavores White, 629 Chandler St.; Leslie Washington, whose last known address was in Greenville and David Carter, whose address is listed on Hull Circle and Horn Lake, additionally.

Hall said each of them will also face drug-related charges when they are brought into custody.

In addition to securing assistance from the law enforcement personnel, Hall said he took steps to ensure that in the event of a medical emergency neither his fellow brothers and sisters in blue or the targeted criminals would experience a delay in receiving medical attention. He brought in a medical response team known as HALO-67-Tactical Medical Group and even had an Air-Med helicopter standing by in case someone needed to be airlifted, but no injuries were reported.

Wednesday's raid, which is the culmination of a 6-month long undercover operation, netted large quantities of marijuana, crack cocaine and ecstasy in addition to guns and cash. Hall said the “no-knock” warrants implemented on Roscoe, Carpenter, Dixon and Young produced most of the haul so they will face additional charges for possession with intent.

Even though the totals from this operation are still being calculated, Hall said, “We've already begun our next operation.”