JACKSON, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – A state drug task force made 16 arrests during two operations in North Mississippi last week. The Fentanyl Strike Force operations also led to six immigration holds. Attorney General Lynn Fitch shared the results on Monday.
In addition, officers found one runaway who is under 18.
What happened in Southaven and Tupelo
The first operation took place in Southaven on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Then the second one happened in Tupelo the next day.
The Attorney General’s Office listed these results:
- Six felony arrests
- Five misdemeanor arrests
- Five DUI arrests
- Six ICE detainers
- One search warrant served
- One runaway found
A felony is a serious crime. A misdemeanor is a less serious crime. An ICE detainer is a request from federal immigration officers. It asks a jail to hold a person so ICE can pick them up.
The state did not name anyone who was arrested. Also, it did not list the charges or say what drugs were found. Everyone arrested is innocent unless a court proves them guilty.
Who took part
The Tupelo operation was a joint effort with District Attorney Jason Herring’s office. Eight agencies took part in all:
- District Attorney Jason Herring’s Office
- DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office
- ICE
- Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics
- Mississippi Highway Patrol
- North Mississippi Narcotics Task Force
- Southaven Police Department
- Tupelo Police Department
What leaders said
“We will not tolerate predators peddling death in our communities,” Fitch said.
She also thanked the local agencies that helped. “Together, we can get these dangerous drugs off of our streets and out of our communities,” she said.
Herring praised the teamwork between local, state and federal officers.
“The fight against fentanyl is a daily battle, but one worth fighting because lives are at stake,” Herring said.
More officers trained
The strike force also trained 40 more officers on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Fitch started the group in 2023. At the same time, she launched her One Pill Can Kill campaign. That campaign teaches people about the dangers of fentanyl.
Her office says nearly 900 officers have now been trained. They learn how to handle fentanyl safely and how to work drug cases.
Does your agency want to join? If so, contact Paul Holley. He leads law enforcement partnerships for the AG’s office. You can reach him at [email protected].
Closer to home
The strike force has worked in our area before. In May, it held an operation in Meridian. That work and an operation in Corinth led to 23 arrests and six ICE detainers, the AG’s office said.
Where to get help
The One Pill Can Kill campaign warns that fentanyl can hide in fake pills. These pills can look just like real medicine. So, just one pill can kill.
If you think someone is having an overdose, call 911 right away.
You can also ask for a free Fentanyl Harm Prevention Kit. To get one, email [email protected].
Do you or someone you love need help with drug use? If so, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. The call is free and private. Also, someone answers 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
