Five people were arrested in Meridian during a six-week-long law enforcement operation earlier this year known as “Operation Triple Beam.”

The U.S. Marshals Service’s Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, along with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, conducted the operation from April 9 – May 17 throughout the Southern District of Mississippi, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Individuals arrested in Meridian include Jelani Brown, 44, possession of a controlled substance; Andra Brown, 30, probation/parole violation for drugs and Terrance Smith, 30, felon in possession of a firearm.

Also arrested were two men sought in connection with two separate shootings in April. Darnell Lasha Hare, 25, who was charged with aggravated assault and a firearms charge, is accused of an April 5 shooting incident in the 200 block of 55th Avenue.

Jontaidrae T. Rhone, 23, faces charges for aggravated assault related to an April 15 incident on the 5300 block of Manning Street that injured another person. 

According to the news release, Operation Triple Beam brought together numerous agencies to identify violent offenders, target street-level gang activity, and collect criminal intelligence to systematically remove the most violent gang members and criminal offenders from the Southern District of Mississippi.

Law enforcement efforts took place primarily in Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi, Hattiesburg and Meridian and focused on fugitive apprehension investigations, firearms and narcotics investigations, gang-related intelligence gathering, and proactive sex offender compliance initiatives. The operation also resulted in the seizure of 50 firearms, including military style assault rifles, illegal narcotics valued at approximately $7,500, and approximately $26,000 in cash, authorities said.

Across the district, the effort resulted in the arrests of 270 individuals for various crimes, including homicide, felony assault and sexual assault, illegal possession of firearms, illegal drug distribution, robbery, failure to register as sex offenders, and arson. Of those arrested, approximately 90 were gang members, representing various affiliations including the Gangster Disciples, Vice Lords, Simon City Royals, Latin Kings, and the Aryan Brotherhood.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office did not immediately know if the suspects in the Meridian arrests had any alleged gang affiliations.