Father and son sentenced after two-year drug trafficking investigation

VICKSBURG, Miss. (Vicksburg Daily News)–Following a two-year drug trafficking investigation, a father and son were sentenced to federal prison for methamphetamine tracking.

The investigation was led by the Covington County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, the Simpson County Sheriff’s Office, the Magee Police Department, the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

In August of 2019, Steven Lawrence Hand, 53, and Steven Tyler Hand, 29, of Mount Olive, Mississippi facilitated the sale of methamphetamine. A search warrant was executed in July of 2020 by the Covington County Sheriff’s Office for each of their homes. 136 grams of methamphetamine and multiple firearms were recovered during the search.

Both parties pled guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. They were sentenced on Friday in Federal Court to 170 months to be served in the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

“The Covington County Sheriff’s Office has been working hard on the drug problems in the county, and this investigation has been ongoing for the last two years,” said Covington County Sheriff Darrell Perkins.

“This investigation highlights the commitment among our state’s law enforcement agencies to work together to improve the quality of life in all Mississippi communities,” said Lt. Colonel Steven Maxwell, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director.