WAYNESBORO — Several local drug dealers are now behind bars facing numerous drug charges as a result of a combined multi-jurisdictional drug investigation.

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, the Waynesboro Police Department, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the South Mississippi Narcotics Task Force, the Clarke County Sheriff’s Department and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department joined forces and are continuing to conduct a drug roundup in the Waynesboro/Wayne County area.

Brent Pursell with the South Mississippi Narcotics Task Force said the arrests are the results of a six-month undercover operation.

Officers began executing search warrants and arrest warrants on numerous identified drug violators on Oct. 22nd.

 According to officials, officers converged on a residence located on Martin Luther King Drive in Waynesboro where several violators were arrested and property seized. Officers then simultaneously converged on residences located on Foster Lane and Taylor Circle.

Waynesboro Police Chief Jimmy Bunch said warrants were issued for a total of 20 individuals in connection to felony drug violations as a result of the operation. He said 18 men and two women found themselves on the list of suspects and some of the suspects have multiple charges.

Officials confirmed Tuesday that the agencies have arrested 10 individuals so far and continue to work to locate the remaining violators.

“If you are a person selling drugs, then most likely we are coming after you,” said Wayne County Sheriff John Farrior. “We will continue working with surrounding agencies in an effort to make a difference in the illegal drug business.”

Bunch said the roundup is a sign that things are changing.

“We are doing well with finding the suspects on our list. However, we will be continuing our efforts of working together to combat the drug problem,” Bunch said. “We are going to step up our efforts here in Waynesboro.”

According to officials, the following persons have been taken into custody in connection with the roundup.

•Robert Oneal Gandy; charged with two counts sale of cocaine within 1500 feet of a church; and one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute within 1500 feet of a church.

•Temmie T. Hundley; charged with counts sale of crack cocaine within 1500 feet of a church, school, and public park.

•Ulyses Lewis Jr.; charged with one count possession of crack cocaine; 1 count sale of cocaine.

•Joey Kentese May; charged with one count sale of crack cocaine within 1500 feet of a church, school and public park.

•Cory McDougle, charged with two counts sale of crack cocaine.

•Johnny Pickins, charged with one count sale of crack cocaine within 1500 feet of a church, school and public park.

•Courtney Ruffin, charged with one count sale of crack cocaine within 1500 feet of a church, school, and public park.

•Charlie Stokes, charged with one count sale of crack cocaine within 1500 feet of a church, school and public park.

•Deneen Terrell; charged with one count sale of crack cocaine within 1500 feet of church, school and public park.

•Rodney Whitfield; charged with two counts sale of crack cocaine.

Like most communities, law enforcement officials said drugs are a problem in the area.

“Drugs are an increasing problem in all our cities and counties,” Bunch said. “We are going to have to step up our enforcement.”

Bunch said several of the people arrested in the roundup are not first-time offenders.

“Some of the dealers charged in this roundup have been caught and successfully prosecuted in the past,” the police chief said. “We are encouraging the District Attorney’s Office and others to make sure they get some jail time. ... We want to make our communities and city a safe place to live and raise a family.”

Officials said several of the individuals arrested in the roundup had their initial court appearances this week in Wayne County Justice Court.

Wayne County Justice Court Judge Charles Britton Sr. conducted the initial appearances and issued the following rulings.

The judge denied bond for Gandy, Hundley, May and Pickins.

Bond for Terrell and Ruffin was set at $15,000 each, while Lewis’ bond was set at $40,000.

McDougle, who has a hold on him from the Mississippi Department of Corrections, received a bond of $50,000 in connection to his latest charges.

Bonds for Whitfield and Stokes are still pending, according to officials.

Anyone with information concerning the roundup or individuals wanted in the incident is asked to notify their local law enforcement agency.