Jasper County officials say that they made an arrest last Wednesday that was a long time coming when a search warrant turned into one of, if not the, largest drug bust in Jasper County history and the arrest of what officials call one of the biggest players in the Jasper County drug trade.

Authorities told the Jasper County News last week, that Fontrell Myers, 34, of Louin has been a suspect on their radar for years. “We’ve been trying to catch him for some time now,” said Jasper County Sheriff Kenneth Cross. They got that chance in the form of a search warrant for stolen items taken from northern Mississippi.

According to Sheriff Cross, sheriffs from Union, Pontotoc and Holmes Counties received tips that items stolen from their counties could be in the possession of a Louin resident. The items ranged from ATVs, John Deere Gators and guns. Cross said, “Once we got the search warrant to search the home of Fontrell Myers and his mother, Ruby, we found the Gator, one stolen gun and a whole lot more.”

After an initial search of the property on County Road 168 in Louin, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, along with the help of the Smith County Sheriff’s Department, Mississippi Game and Fish and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, found a shocking amount of loose and compact marijuana, crack cocaine and powder cocaine, stolen carpentry and landscaping equipment and packaging materials and scales for the drugs. Jasper County officials filled a county-owned trailer with plastic wrap and plastic bags used for packaging the drugs. Most of the packing materials were covered in marijuana and cocaine residue. Sheriff Cross said that the discovery helped to build the case and was very important circumstantial evidence.

According to Cross, the drugs were founded hidden in a wooded area behind the home. Drugs were found hidden in junked washing machines, suitcases, an old chair, loose in trash bags and trash cans.

Both Fontrell and Ruby Myers, 55, were taken into custody. Fontrell Myers was charged with five counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, one count of receiving stolen property, one count of possession of marijuana more than five kilos with intent to distribute and one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. According to Cross, Myers has a previous conviction for possession of a controlled substance. He was placed on probation.

After her arrest, Ms. Myers had to be taken to the hospital for an undisclosed condition. Upon her release, she was arrested and charged with one count of possession of marijuana more than five kilos with intent to sell, one count possession of cocaine with intent to sell and one count of receiving stolen property.

Another arrest was made in the case. Susanna Fountain, 32, was arrested and charged with one count of possession of marijuana more than five kilos with intent to sell and one count of possession of cocaine with intent to sell.

During the initial execution of the search warrant, Michael Hooper, Quincy Walker and Bryant Holloway were arrested and charged with failure to obey a lawful command.

After charges were officially charged on Saturday, Jasper County confiscated a few vehicles belonging to the defendants. While searching a new Dodge Charger, officials found about $95,000 in cash, according to Sheriff Cross.

What makes this drug bust so different from past drug busts made on the interstate running through east Jasper County is that the drugs confiscated Wednesday were directly intended for Jasper County residents. This bust, according to Sheriff Cross, cuts “probably two-thirds of the drug trade in this portion of the county.”

Sheriff Cross praised the efforts of his officers. He said last Thursday, “These guys do a great job in trying to control the drug trade here in Jasper County. I can’t find the words to express my appreciation for what they do. Folks don’t know what they do go through. We live in a day and time when people want things now. With those guys and this type of work, it takes time. They say every dog has his day. Well, yesterday was our day.”

On Monday, December 14, Fontrell and Ruby Myers and Susanna Fountain appeared before Justice Court Judge Marvin Jones for their initial appearance. All three pled not guilty. Fountain’s bond was set at $125,000. The request for a reduction was denied.

Ruby Myer’s bond was set at $175,000. She was granted a bond hearing, because health concerns. Both women are currently free on bond.

Fontrell Myer’s bond was set at $250,000 cash; his request for a reduction was denied. He remains in jail as of Tuesday afternoon.