JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Nearly 50 pounds of marijuana seized in a traffic stop Sunday night is a symbol for Hinds County Sheriff Tyrone Lewis. A symbol of how deputies are going after drug users and dealers.
"We understand the economic impact of supply and demand when it comes to drugs. So therefore, as we concentrate on the street level we decided to go after suppliers as well," said Sheriff Lewis.
Deputies received a tip that Brian Lawson, 28, of Hamerville, Ohio and Jason Byus, 41, of Bethal, Ohio would be traveling through the area with the marijuana.
Deputies stopped the pick-up the men were traveling in on I-55 near Byram.
Lewis says after receiving permission, a deputy searched the truck and found the marijuana.
The men were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and should have an initial court appearance this week.
Lewis believes creating law enforcement relationships and working other sources is how to attack the drug trade.
Lewis said, "We just have not had the man power or the tools to put time into it. So now that we do, it's one of our focuses in this administration."
The first-term sheriff says it's not unusual to have someone from outside the Jackson Metro area arrested for bringing drugs into the city.
"We have information to believe all of our interstates, major interstates, are pipelines. We concentrate on all of them, I-55, interstate 20 as well," said Lewis.
If convicted, Lawson and Byus could face 30 years in jail.
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