WAYNESBORO — Three men were arrested in Wayne County after allegedly participating in a mail-order drug incident.

According to Wayne County law enforcement officials, two Waynesboro residents and a Forrest County man were all arrested last week as a result of the men participating in “a mail order dope case.”

Anthony Dent of Hattiesburg, Reginald McCann of Waynesboro and Iva L. Lacey of Waynesboro, were all arrested and booked into the Wayne County Detention Center in connection with felony drug possession charges.

According to officials, the South Mississippi Narcotics Task Force received an anonymous tip from an individual reporting that three men were meeting a delivery truck at a local restaurant to pick up a package that contained illegal drugs.

Officers from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, the Waynesboro Police Department, and the South Mississippi Narcotics Task Force placed the area under surveillance.

Officials said the three men were taken into custody after taking delivery of their package containing marijuana, Vicodin, and ecstasy.

“Three suspects arrived and took possession of the package from the delivery truck and officers moved in to effect an arrest,” said Wayne County Sheriff’s Department Investigator Kevin Stevens. “The suspects attempted to flee in their vehicle traveling West on Highway 184. They attempted to discard the package by throwing it over the river bridge.”

Officials said the vehicle was stopped a short distance away and all three suspects were apprehended following a brief foot chase.

According to reports, Wayne County Chief Deputy Gerald Barnett and Investigator Mike Mozingo were successful in recovering the package from the river.

According to SMNTF Commander Brent Pursell, the package was shipped from California and contained approximately 2 and a half pounds of high quality marijuana, 50 ecstasy tablets, and 300 Vicodin tablets.

Pursell said the package also contained several plastic bottles of cough syrup containing hydrocodone that burst on the bridge.

Commander Pursell valued the drugs at approximately $8,000.

Dent was originally charged with one count each of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute; possession of Vicodin with intent to distribute; trafficking; and resisting arrest.

McCann was originally charged with one count each of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute; possession of Vicodin with intent to distribute; trafficking; felony fleeing and resisting arrest.

Lacey was originally charged with one count each of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute; possession of Vicodin with intent to distribute; trafficking; and resisting arrest.

The three men had their initial court appearance this week in Wayne County Justice Court, where their bonds were set.

Dent’s bond was set at $25,000 each for the possession of marijuana with intent to distribute charge; the possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute charge; and the possession of Vicodin with intent to distribute charge. The trafficking charge was dropped; and $2,000 bond was set on the resisting arrest charge.

McCann’s bond was set at $25,000 each for the possession of marijuana with intent to distribute charge; possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute charge; possession of Vicodin with intent to distribute charge; and the felony fleeing charge. The trafficking charge was dropped. His bond for the no insurance and no seat belt charge, and the resisting arrest charge was set at $2,000 each.

Lacey’s bond was set at $25,000 each for the possession of marijuana with intent to distribute charge; the possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute charge; and the possession of Vicodin with intent to distribute charge. The trafficking charge was dropped; and the bond for the resisting arrest charge was set at $2,000.

According to Wayne County officials, McCann and Lacey have been released from jail on bond. Dent remained in custody at press time Tuesday.

SMNTF Agent Joey Moulds is scheduled to present the case to the January 2010 Wayne County Grand Jury.