A Florence man is behind bars in Rankin County after a narcotics officer conducted an undercover buy.

Rankin County Sheriff’s Department Chief Legal Counsel Paul Holley said Investigator Christian Dedmon and other deputies from Rankin and Simpson Counties conducted a drug buy operation near Highway 49 in the Star community.

Wendall Scott Squires, 45, was arrested and charged with the sale and possession of 35 grams of methamphetamine.

District Attorney Bubba Bramlett will bring Squires in front of Rankin County Court Judge Kent McDaniel for an initial appearance.

“These drugs could not have been taken off the street without the help of tips from the community and the cooperation of local law enforcement agencies,” the release said.