HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -
After an early Tuesday morning drug round
in Laurel, 23 alleged cocaine sellers made their first appearance Wednesday
before the Jones County Circuit Court Judge Billy Joe Landrum.
After a 14 month long investigation that
led to a drug raid early Tuesday morning, 23 of the alleged drug dealers that
were arrested made their first appearance Wednesday before the Jones County
Circuit Court Judge Billy Joe Landrum.
Approximately half of the alleged cocaine
dealers were denied bail and will be held in jail, while the other half were
given a $30,000 signature bond.
"We're dealing with a lot of volume
here," said Jones County District Attorney Anthony Buckley. "One thing's for
certain though, the streets of Laurel will be a lot quieter this Christmas."
Not only a safer Christmas, but a city
with less crime thanks to Laurel Police Department.
"We're just very pleased with today,
we're very pleased with the operation," said Laurel Police Department Seargent
Michael Reaves. "Our crime stats and our crime rate is down over the last
two-in-a-half years to an all time low and we think that these type of
operations are a direct result of that."
All suspects pleaded not guilty and were given a plea
recommendation. Choosing not to take the recommendation within the next 30 days they can
face the maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
"If you're out here in our community selling drugs, you're going to see
us," said Reaves.
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