After numerous complaints and tips about suspicious drug activity in the Hamshire and Fannett area, an investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) resulted in seven people arrested on drug charges recently, according to officials.
According to JCSO, detectives received information and complaints on narcotics activity in the area then began an investigation and video surveillance was conducted which led to several traffic stops.
One traffic stop resulted in the recovery of a gram of suspected methamphetamine (meth), a pistol and assorted drug paraphernalia. Dustin Burnham, 32, of Beaumont, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawfully carrying a weapon. He also had a warrant for a state jail felony theft.
Another stop yielded three ounces of suspected meth, 26 grams of prescription pills, a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Mary Jones, 21, of Fannett, and Keyan Boykin, 25, no address given, were each charged with possession of a controlled substance.
Days after being released from jail, Jones was stopped again and in possession of 333 grams or 3/4 lb. of meth. She was charged with possession of a controlled substance
While patrolling State Highways 124 and 365, deputies stopped a vehicle driven by Jerry Mabrey, 44, of Port Arthur. Found were three bags of suspected meth in Mabrey’s pocket. A vehicle search resulted in a syringe of suspected liquid meth along with two small bags of suspected meth.
Mabrey and his passenger, Jennifer Bridges, 47, of Nederland, were both charged with possession of a controlled substance.
After JCSO was alerted to a suspicious truck parked for a period to time at a Hamshire convenience store, a K-9 unit was dispatched to the vehicle. A positive alert resulted in the seizure of an ounce of suspected meth, an assortment of unidentified pills and drug paraphernalia.
Shawn Manning, 53, and Scott Brust, 59, both of Port Arthur, were charged with possession of a controlled substance.
“The investigation is just a part of an ongoing effort to make our communities a safer place to live,” noted JCSO officials. “We would like to thank the Beaumont Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.”
JCSO encourages anyone with information about illegal activities in their community to contact Crime Stoppers at 409-833-Tips (8477), log onto www.833tips.com or download the interactive P3 app. Individuals will not be asked your name and could be eligible for a cash reward.
— Dannie Oliveaux, Staff Reporter