9 Arrested, Indicted for Alleged Drug and Firearm Trafficking

An operation in Stone County, Mississippi has led to the arrest and indictment of nine men for gun and drug trafficking.

Key Takeaways

Nine men have been arrested in a major gun and drug trafficking bust in Stone County, Mississippi.
The investigation was a joint effort involving local, state, and federal agencies, including ATF and HSI.
Seized items include nearly 4 pounds of methamphetamine, over 4,000 fentanyl pills, and more than 20 firearms.
Those indicted face charges potentially carrying sentences from 10 years to life in prison.

Massive Operation Disrupts Drug, Firearm Trafficking Efforts

Authorities in South Mississippi, conducting over 30 undercover operations, have disrupted a well-organized drug and gun trafficking network. A federal grand jury in Gulfport indicted nine men who are all facing serious charges. This bust was part of “Operation Take Back America,” an initiative aimed at combating illegal activities by transnational criminal organizations. The operation saw significant contributions from the ATF, HSI, and the Stone County Sheriff’s Department, among others.

The defendants face charges of conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, firearm trafficking, and possession by convicted felons. The amounts seized shed light on the significant potential harm prevented: nearly 4 pounds of methamphetamine, over 4,000 fentanyl pills, and more than 20 firearms were confiscated.

9 arrested in major gun & drug-trafficking bust in South MS after undercover investigation https://t.co/OLfyAIBl87

— Sun Herald (@sunherald) April 1, 2025

Severe Penalties Looming

A total of nine suspects are currently facing charges. These include Cameron Fairley, Melvin McCray, Alvonta Demarcus McCray, Roderick Victor Minter, Cleon Johnson, Jeremy Young, Tracy Antoine McCall, Christopher Chase Brown, and Nathaniel Jackson.

The accused face varying penalties, from a potential life sentence to lengthy prison terms. Alvonta Demarcus McCray, for example, charged with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, may receive a life sentence. Others like Melvin McCray, facing up to 15 years for firearm trafficking and possession by a convicted felon, highlight the range of penalties that reflect the severity of their alleged crimes. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hunter McCreight.

Operation Take Back America

Operation Take Back America, under which this major operation falls, seeks to target illegal immigration, cartels, and criminal organizations circumventing America’s laws. According to a statement from the Department of Justice, the operation “marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.”