Three Grenada County residents lost their independence on the eve of Fourth of July following two extensive drug busts that landed them behind bars on a variety of charges.
The arrests were the result of a lengthy and thorough investigation into illegal drug activity in Grenada County headed up by the Grenada County Sheriff’s Office. The busts began in the early morning hours of July 3, and continued throughout the day.
Sheriff Garrett Hartley, along with GCSO investigators and deputies with assistance from agents with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics executed the first search warrant at 20 Mountain Ln., in Grenada. The biggest “lick” came later that morning after obtaining a search warrant for 7922 Hwy. 7 S., in Holcomb where a variety of illegal drugs and narcotics — in large quantities — as well as stolen firearms were discovered inside the residence and a vehicle used in an attempted getaway from the property. Large sums of cash were also seized at both locations.
“This was a large amount of very dangerous drugs and stolen weapons that will not be going to the streets to poison or harm our citizens,” Sheriff Hartley said. “We appreciate all of the support from the community in our efforts to pinpoint and arrest drug dealers in our county.”
Jadarius “Tigger” Taylor, 26, was arrested after fleeing the Hwy. 7 residence in a vehicle and later on foot when deputies arrived to execute the search warrant. However, Taylor’s escape was short-lived after being captured by law enforcement officers several hundred yards from the residence.
Jadarius "Tigger" Taylor
According to GCSO Chief Deputy Ricky Williamson II, “very large amounts” of crystal methamphetamine — known on the streets as “Ice” — as well as marijuana, oxycodone, Lortab and promethazine were all seized from Taylor.
“Ice” is the street name for crystal methamphetamine, which is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant drug. It is a crystalline form of methamphetamine, known for its high purity and potency compared to other forms like powder or base methamphetamine
Promethazine — a medication used to manage and treat allergic conditions, nausea and vomiting, motion sickness and sedation — is misused or illegally acquired due to its potential for abuse, particularly when combined with other substances like codeine. This combination can produce sedative and euphoric effects. While promethazine itself is not a narcotic, when combined with codeine it can be regulated as a controlled substance. The misuse of promethazine, especially with other substances, carries serious health risks, including respiratory depression, overdose and even death.
Oxycodone and Lortab are both opioid pain medications in high demand on the black market because both have highly addictive properties. This addictive nature drives individuals to seek out these drugs — legally and illegally — to manage pain or to simply get high.
Following his arrest, Taylor was transported to the Grenada County Jail. He appeared in Justice Court on the Fourth of July where Judge Vince Marascalco set a total bond in the amount of $250,000 on the charges of Aggravated Trafficking of Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, two counts of Trafficking of Controlled Substance and three counts of Possession of Stolen Firearm.
Drugs, guns and paraphernalia were seized by officials with the Grenada County Sheriff’s Office during a drug bust on July 3 at 20 Mountain Ln. | Photo Courtesy of GCSO
During the 20 Mountain Ln., drug bust, 49-year-old Terry Braxton was taken into custody after “moderate” amounts of illegal drugs and narcotics were located in the residence, along with firearms, one of which was stolen, according to Chief Deputy Williamson. Drugs seized in the bust included crystal methamphetamine “Ice,” along with cocaine, marijuana, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) known as “Ecstasy” and “Molly” as well as oxycodone.
MDMA is a lab-made (synthetic) drug that has effects similar to stimulants like methamphetamine. It is typically sold illicitly as colorful tablets with imprinted logos, capsules, powder or liquid.
Braxton was taken into custody during a traffic stop just moments prior to the execution of the search warrant at his residence. He was transported to the Grenada County Jail on one count of Possession of Stolen Firearm, Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, two counts of Trafficking of Controlled Substance and four counts of Felony Possession of Controlled Substance. He stood before Judge Marascalco in Justice Court later that day and bond was set at $150,000.
Terry Braxton
Not long after the Hwy. 7 bust, Jennifer Frazier Williams, 46, of Grenada was taken into custody during a traffic stop after a large amount of crystal methamphetamine “Ice” was discovered in her possession. She was transported to the Grenada County Jail on the charge of Trafficking of Controlled Substance and appeared in Justice Court later that day where Judge Marascalco set a bond in the amount of $20,000. Williams bonded out shortly after her bond was set.
Jennifer Frazier William
Following the successful drug busts, Sheriff Hartley vowed to continue the fight to take illegal drugs off the streets in Grenada County.
“We will continue to work on these issues within our county,” he concluded. “We also greatly appreciate the work and efforts of our investigators, deputies and MBN that have spent many hours, days, weeks and months working on these cases.”
All mentioned persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the respective court of law.
