Sheriff Bailey said some of the cases are directly related to overdose deaths in the metro area.

Four search warrants were served in the metro area today (Thursday, February 1).

Sheriff Bailey said that over the past months the Metro Area has seen an increase in drug overdoses.

Two months ago the Madison Police Department, Ridgeland Police Department, Richland Police Department, Pelahatchie Police Department, Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office partnered together and formed a unit to open investigations on overdoses and overdose deaths in both jurisdictions.

The officers worked together and shared all information and began to develop names of suspected drug dealers in the Metro Area.

The result of this cooperation has resulted in the arrest of 11 suspects, 5 adults and 6 juveniles.

The officers began making undercover buys from the suspects they could get close to. The buys along with other intelligence resulted in arrest warrants and search warrants being issued on the below listed individuals.

 Sheriff Bailey said,

“We appreciate all the hard work by all law enforcement involved. Some of these cases are directly related to overdose calls and overdose deaths. We would also like to thank all of the families of the overdose victims who cooperated with the investigation.”

Here are the names of those arrested and charged and what their charges were:

Pedro Antonio MARTINEZ GARCIA

18 years old

154 Carol Avenue Florence, MS

Charges

-1 count of Sale of Fentanyl

-Was currently out on bond for Sale of Fentanyl While in Possession of a Firearm & Possession of Methamphetamine While in Possession of a Firearm)

Jose Fernando HERRERA RESENDIZ

30 years old

2071 Lakeshore Drive Ridgeland, MS

Charges

– 1 count of selling cocaine within 1500 feet of a park.

  -1 count of conspiracy to sell cocaine within 1500 feet of a park.

  – Registered Sex Offender