Picayune Police make two narcotics related arrests on consecutive days

Terrance Lamont Hess

Picayune Narcotic Detectives conducted undercover operations on consecutive days to make two arrests and continue to chip away at the drug dealers and users in the Picayune area.

While conducting an undercover operation at a local business on October 5th, a suspect contacted an undercover narcotic detective and advised the detective that he would sell the detective half a pound of hydroponic marijuana, according to a press release from Assistant Police Chief Jeremy Magri.

The Picayune Narcotics Division, along with the Picayune Patrol Division, set up a perimeter around the business location and began to conduct surveillance. While conducting surveillance, a silver Chrysler 300 arrived on the scene at 10:19am, at which time the detectives identified the suspect as Terrance Lamont Hess aka “Theft”, age 42, of 100 Auderer Blvd, Waveland, Mississippi.

Hess was detained and placed under arrest. Hess was transported to the Criminal Justice Center where he was booked on a charge of Conspiracy to Sell a Controlled Substance within 1500 feet of a Church. A search of Hess’ vehicle was conducted, but there were not any drugs found, according to Assistant Chief Magri.

On October 6th, at approximately 4:53pm, Picayune Narcotics Detectives conducted an undercover narcotics operation at a local business. A suspect, identified as Tammy Lou Ruiz, age 48, of 92 White Sand Road, Poplarvile, contacted an undercover narcotics detective and advised the detective that she would sell him a quarter ounce of Crystal Methamphetamine at the business location.

The Picayune Police Narcotics Division set up a perimeter around the business in unmarked police units and began to conduct surveillance. While conducting surveillance, the detectives observed a white Ford truck arrive on the scene and the undercover detective made contact with Ruiz, positively identifying her. Ruiz was detained by the Picayune Police Narcotics Division and a search of her truck was conducted.

During the search, detectives found one black digital scale, two clear plastic bags containing a crystal substance believed to be Crystal Methamphetamine, and two plastic containers containing a crystal like substance believed to be Crystal Methamphetamine. Ruiz was placed under arrest for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute with 1500 feet of a Church and Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Ruiz was transported to the Criminal Justice Center where she was booked and incarcerated. Her truck was seized due to it being used to transport illegal narcotics.