The Clarion-Ledger Published 5:35 p.m. CT Feb. 9, 2017 | Updated 5:39 p.m. CT Feb. 9, 2017

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A search of a vehicle driven by Corey Lewis and April Littleton of Jackson revealed over 4,000 tablets of ecstasy, approximately 25 grams of hash, and approximately one ounce of ecstasy powder, and a gun.(Photo: HCSO/ Special to The Clarion-Ledger)

Hinds County special investigations and Morton police officers have made 11 felony arrests in an effort to cripple the drug pipeline on I-20.

The arrests took place over the period of a little more than a week.

"These are not victimless crimes. A large portion of these illegal narcotics are headed to our communities, to the hands of our children," Sheriff Victor Mason said. "I'm not about to sit back and ignore it."

According to a series of releases from the Hinds County Sheriff's Department, on Jan. 27, four people from Pennsylvania with ties to West Africa were apprehended in a tan 2007 Inifiniti for careless driving on I-20 in Morton. Deputies located marijuana and a gun, as well as around three gallons of an unknown chemical in a hidden compartment.Alex Robinson, age unavailable, was charged with felon in possession of a firearm and possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle.Woryah Kamara, Matthew Sawher, and Willie Besson, all ages unavailable, were charged with possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle.Besson is pending deportation to Liberia, West Africa. They were taken to the Scott County Jail.

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On Jan. 29,Marion Watts Jr., age unavailable, of Clinton, was stopped for careless driving on I-20 westbound in Morton. Police said he was driving a rental 2017 Chevy Malibu and refused to give consent to a search. AK9 alerted to the trunk of the vehicle where authorities foundfive poundsof high grade marijuana hidden in a box in the trunk. The shipment, according to police, was headed for Clinton.Watts was charged with trafficking a controlled substance.He was booked in at the Scott County Jail.

On Jan. 30, Westly Lara, age unavailable, of Lubbock, Texas,and Jennifer Millar, age unavailable, of California were stopped for a traffic violation on I-20 West in Morton. A K9 alertlead to the discovery of THC in liquid formdesigned for e-cigarettes, 20 grams of high grade of marijuana and a compartment built in the vehicle under the center console containing marijuana and approximately$44,000in cash.Both were charged with possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy to commit a crime. They were booked into the Scott County Jail.

On the same day,Hinds County officers assigned to the Special Investigations Unit stopped a late model SUV rental on I-20 around Edwards for a traffic violation.Officers became suspicious when the odor of marijuana was coming from the vehicle.

SEE ALSO:3 JSU students arrested on drug, counterfeit charges

After a search of the vehicle, officers discovered 2 pounds of hi-grade marijuana hidden in the rear hatch of the SUV.The driver, Lathero Stringer, and passenger Quinton Holly, both ages unavailable, both of Terry, were charged with trafficking a controlled substance.Both subjects were booked in at the Hinds County Detention Center in Raymond.

On February 7, police on I-20 west in Morton initiated a traffic stop for careless driving on a Toyota Camry which led to arrest of Corey Lewis and April Littleton, both ages unavailable,both of Jackson for aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance and twocounts of trafficking of a controlled substancewhile in possession of a firearm.

Authorities said a consensual search revealed over 4,000 tablets of ecstasy, approximately25 grams of hash, and approximatelyone ounce of ecstasypowder, and a gun. Police said the drugs were headed to Jackson.Both Lewis and Littleton were booked in the Scott County Jail.

"We are pleased with the results of this joint effort. We always look forward to working with multi jurisdictions in efforts to stop the illegal drug activity coming through our state," said Morton Police Chief Nicky Crapps.

READ: FBI seizes weapons related to multi-state drug network

ContactTherese Apelat 601-961-7236 ortapel@gannett.com.Follow her onFacebookandTwitter.

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Hinds County and Morton police team up on 11 drug arrests - Jackson Clarion Ledger