“Saturation detail” hits streets hard with multiple law enforcement agencies

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It was a busy night for law enforcement officers throughout Lee County.

A special task force made up of Highway Patrol Troopers, Sheriff’s deputies, and other agencies went out in search of suspects with felony warrants, and they also conducted safety checkpoints.

WCBI’s Allie Martin was the only local media allowed along and has the first of two reports from the evening.

The saturation detail began with a barbecue dinner at Tombigbee State Park.

It was a chance for members of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Lee County Sheriff’s Department, North Mississippi Narcotics Unit, Mississippi Department of Corrections officers and other agents to fellowship, before hitting the streets.

“It’s going to be more of a concentrated effort, I have most of my district , everybody here, sheriff Johnson has the majority of his sheriff’s department here,” said Captain Chad Moore of MHP’s Troop F.

After dinner, officers were briefed on the checkpoints for the evening, and teams were formed to search for suspects with felony warrants. Those warrants were handed down by the latest Grand Jury and were mostly for drug related offenses.

From the Tombigbee State Park, teams split up and went around the area. The first order of business, serving felony warrants.

Often, the suspect was not at the address, but that’s common. Officers say people involved in the sale and use of drugs move frequently, but having the large presence of law enforcement officers sends a strong message.

“It’s just a conglomeration of getting the bad people out of our area, and making sure the public knows we’re out here working and keeping them safe,” said Lee County Sheriff, Jim Johnson.

The saturation details are organized several times a year.

The Highway Patrol receives special grants to cover the costs of the stepped up enforcement.