"Oh, it's very big for us."

¶Clarke County Sheriff Todd Kemp is talking about a drug roundup this week in and around Quitman. Penetrating some of the areas where illegal drug activity is thought to be the most prevalent, the roundup was conducted by law enforcement officials in Clarke County and members of the South Mississippi Drug Task Force. It was part of a year long investigation and resulted in 13 arrests. According to the sheriff, more than half of the charges were for the illegal sale of prescription drugs.

¶"They're taking the prescription drugs given to them to try to help them and they're turning around selling them on the street," says Sheriff Kemp.

Charges for the suspects range from the sale of cocaine and marijuana to the sale of prescription drugs. Some of the prescription drugs that the suspects are charged with selling were morphine, hydrocodone and adderall. Sheriff Kemp says more arrests are expected. He also says that more than 100 cases related to the roundup will likely be presented to the grand jury in September.

¶ A charge for possession of a drug often carries a lighter sentence. However, because all of the arrested face charges for the sale of drugs, Sheriff Kemp says if found guilty they could face stiffer penalties. In fact, if found guilty he says some of the suspects could face up to 30 years behind bars.

With 4 of the arrested facing charges for the alledged sale of drugs within 1500 feet of a church or school, Sheriff Kemp says these suspects could face even more jail time.

Meanwhile, he says investigators feel confident in the cases.

"We do, I think we'll have a good day in court with these indiviuals."

In Quitman, Andrea Williams, Newscenter 11.