A major cocaine ring based out of Oktibbeha County has been dismantled, according to the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.
The investigation, called Operation Queen Bee, focused on a group of Starkville-based cocaine distributors who provided narcotics to the northern half of the state. Five people were arrested and more arrests are expected, according to the MBN.
Sherita Garth, 37, of Starkville, was arrested and charged with three counts of sale of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Calvin Baskin, 43, of West Point, was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine, possession of MDMA (Molly), conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Dashiki Townsend, 31, of West Point, was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Timothy Gilliam, 39, of Ecru, was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and Debra Walker, 57, of Starkville, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and running a large-scale gambling operation.
Operation Queen Bee also resulted in the seizure of approximately 23 ounces of cocaine worth an estimated street value of $66,000. In addition to the cocaine, law enforcement seized $40,000 in cash, seven vehicles, six firearms, three money counters and paraphernalia.
MBN Interim Director Samuel Owens said his agency believes the suspects distributed more than $1 million dollars worth of cocaine throughout the state.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Oktibbeha County Sheriff Department, Clay County Sheriff’s Department, Chickasaw County Sheriff Department, West Point Police Department, North Mississippi Narcotics Task Force and Mississippi Highway Patrol assisted in the investigation.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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