Sheriff and other agencies make drug bust

On Friday, October 16, after months of investigation and intelligence gathering, law enforcement officials obtained enough information to secure a search warrant for a residence in the southern part of Winston County, long suspected of manufacturing crystal methamphetamine.

The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Winston County Sheriff's Office and the Neshoba County Sheriff's Office, in a joint effort, executed the search warrant on the residence of John Barry Hatcher,54, at 546 Old Highway 15 near the Winston and Neshoba County line. The search revealed an active lab in the process of making crystal meth, inside the residence.

Once officers secured the residence and took the occupants into custody, officers vacated the residence due to a strong chemical odor. Members of the Noxapater Volunteer Fire Department responded to the residence and used fans to clear fumes from the residence so that specially trained members of MBN could safely enter the residence to retrieve the evidence located within.

A clean-up team responded and took possession of the dangerous chemicals, secured them in special containers and removed them from the area so that the chemicals could be safely destroyed.

Six persons were arrested as a result of the operation. The residence's owner, John Barry Hatcher, who has a prior arrest and conviction for the manufacture of crystal meth; Samuel Dubard Hatcher 18 of Noxapater; Crystal Flowers,35 of Noxapater; Charlie Dempsey,38, of Ackerman, Josh Henley,19, of Philadelphia and Wesley McAdory. Charges range from manufacture of crystal meth, conspiracy to manufacture crystal meth, possession of marijuana and weapons violations. In addition to seizing the meth lab, nine firearms were also seized on the premises.

To report crimes in Winston County or provide tips on suspicious activities in the county contact the Winston County Sheriff's Department at 662-773-5881.