Operation 'Hide and Seek' nets five arrests

Pearl River County Sheriff David Allison said that investigators with the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department (PRCSD) Narcotics Unit made several arrests as a result of a several month’s long operation dubbed Operation 'Hide and Seek'. Sheriff Allison said the purpose of this operation was to dismantle a drug trafficking ring that was operating in both Pearl River and Harrison County.

During this investigation, investigators were able to determine that Dewayne Allen Bester, age 34, of Biloxi, MS, was providing individuals in Pearl River County with large quantities of crystal methamphetamine. Investigators with the PRCSD teamed up with narcotic detectives with the Biloxi Police Department to bring a conclusion to the investigation, Sheriff Allison stated.

On Thursday, January 23, 2020, detectives with the Biloxi Police Department and the PRCSD executed a search warrant at 270 Covenant Square Drive, Apt 3, Biloxi, MS. At the residence was Maranda Shanikque-Damn Bonehomme, age 27, and Dewayne Bester. During a search of the apartment, investigators found approximately five pounds of crystal methamphetamine, a stolen firearm, a distribution amount of marijuana, a distribution amount of Hydrocodone, and just over $41,000 of U.S. currency. After collecting all of the evidence at the scene, a Lexus vehicle was also seized due to it being used by Lester to distribute the narcotics according to Sheriff Allison.

Continuing the investigation, investigators with the PRCSD Narcotics Unit and regular Criminal Investigation Division Unit executed four search warrants that afternoon and evening in Pearl River County. The first search warrant was executed was at 972 Shirley Drive, Picayune, MS, where Bester’s mother lived. Investigators found the residence to be connected to Dewayne Bester’s illegal activities. Inside the residence, investigators found approximately three more pounds of crystal methamphetamine.

Investigators executed the three other search warrants at residences associated with the drug trafficking organization of Bester. Search warrants were executed at the residences of Keith Boone, of 137 First Street, Nicholson, MS; Andre Thomas, of 110 Elbert Mitchell Road, Nicholson, MS; and Rex Moak, of 178 Koch Road, Picayune, MS.

During the search of these three residences, investigators recovered crystal methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia associated with the distribution of controlled substances, and five firearms according to Sheriff Allison.

Subjects arrested in the operation were as follows:

--Dewayne Allen Bester, age 34, was charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Hydrocodone with Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and three outstanding warrants from Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

--Maranda Bonehomme, age 27, was charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Hydrocodone with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.

--Rex Moak, age 58, was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and five counts of Possession of a Weapon by a Felon.

--Allen Boone, age 37, was charged with Possession of Stolen Property, Receiving Stolen Property, Possession of Paraphernalia, and a probation violation from the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

--Andre Thomas, age 54, gave his address as 182 Elbert Mitchell, Nicholson, MS, was charged with Possession of Paraphernalia.

Sheriff Allison said that as the investigation continues, more arrests may be forthcoming.

Sheriff Allison wanted to thank the Biloxi Police Department for their assistance in this investigation and in helping stem the flow of narcotics into Pearl River County.

Sheriff Allison wanted to commend his investigators in the Narcotic Division and the CID Department for their effort in this investigation that has been going on for months.