Several investigations wrapped up during the past week haveresulted in numerous people arrested on drug charges in the area,according to authorities.

The longest-running investigation by the Lincoln CountySheriff’s Department involved what was referred to as a significantcrystal methamphetamine distribution operation, said NarcoticsInvestigator Dustin Bairfield.

“It was an ongoing investigation since 1998 on the traffickingof crystal meth from Texas and Memphis to Mississippi,” saidBairfield.

After serving a search warrant at 434 Greenwood Road,authorities arrested William Erin Cannon, known as Bill, 44, of thesame address. He was charged with possession of a controlledsubstance and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon,Bairfield stated.

“Our guys have been pursuing that for a long time. It just takessome time to put these type cases together sometimes,” said SheriffLynn Boyte.

Investigators did not recover a large amount of thehighly-addictive substance, but they did discover a variety ofother items at the residence.

“There was a list of things we confiscated that were used forthe trafficking of crystal meth,” added Bairfield, mentioningvehicles, a four-wheeler and police scanners discovered byauthorities.

Cannon remains in the Lincoln County Jail under a $250,000bond.

Another case involving crystal methamphetamine was one spanninga couple of months and involving two suspects.

Kelly Melton, 28, of 1298 George Trail, was arrested and chargedwith possession of crystal methamphetamine after authorities serveda search warrant at his residence. During the search, authoritiesalso arrested Anthony Brian Moak, 23, of 759 Rollins Trail, onpossession of marijuana charges.

“Both of these subjects also have other charges coming up ingrand jury,” added Bairfield.

In another recent bust, deputies and investigators, whileworking with the Mississippi Department of Corrections, uncovered asmall operation involving a new drug on the streets, saidBairfield.

“We were assisting MDOC in serving a warrant and sawparaphernalia in plain view, so we got a search warrant,” saidBairfield.

Once inside the trailer at 1310 Enterprise Road, authoritiessaid they discovered the three residents allegedly had marijuanaand oxycontin in their possession.

“Oxycontin is a painkiller. It’s the number one drug of choiceright now,” said Bairfield.

Betty Franz, 30; Michael Newell, 45 and Marion Roberts Jr., 39,are still in the Lincoln County Jail and facing the two possessioncharges. No bond was set for Franz, while Newell and Roberts have$50,000 bonds.

Authorities also made a successful undercover drug buy duringthe past week, according to Bairfield.

Kendrick Bryant, 23, of 794 Zetus Road, was arrested and chargedwith the sale of crack cocaine after an incident at a car wash onUnion Street.

“He was arrested immediately after selling the crack cocaine toan undercover (agent),” said Bairfield.

Bryant has already bonded out of jail.

A possible illegal liquor operation at a residence on Amite Roadwas broken up when investigators discovered liquor was being boughtin another county and sold in Lincoln County, which is considered adry county.

“We sent somebody in this house and made a buy, then arrestedhim,” said Bairfield.

Bishop Sanders, 53, of 309 Amite Road, faces sale of liquor andpossession of liquor charges.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department was assisted by theMississippi Bureau of Narcotics and Southwest Task Force in two ofthe cases.

Authorities were thankful to bring so many cases to a closewithout incident. They hope their efforts will help rid LincolnCounty of illegal substances.

“I’m pleased with what we’re doing. These arrests should makethings a little bit better as far as our drug situation in LincolnCounty,” said Boyte.