GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) – Two Gulfport men are behind bars after a major drug and firearm bust that spanned several locations in Harrison County, officials announced Friday.
The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation began Thursday, March 27, when investigators attempted to stop a Toyota Avalon driven by 38-year-old Dwan Durrell Parnell near Pass Road and Stennis Drive in Biloxi. Parnell allegedly fled on foot but was quickly captured by officers. A search of his vehicle revealed a large quantity of cocaine.
Following the arrest, investigators executed searches at multiple locations, including homes in the 200 block of Stennis Drive and the 2000 block of 32nd Avenue in Gulfport, along with a hotel room.
Those searches turned up significant amounts of illegal drugs — including cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, ecstasy — all packaged for distribution. Multiple firearms were also recovered.
At the 32nd Avenue location, authorities arrested 34-year-old Deante Terrill Hinton, who was found in possession of crack cocaine, powdered cocaine, marijuana, and more than $4,000 in cash.
From that property, investigators seized:
70 grams of crack cocaine
3 lbs. of marijuana
Two handguns
One rifle
Over $4,000 in illicit cash
Parnell is facing federal drug and firearm charges and is being held without bond pending further federal hearings. Hinton faces state-level trafficking charges and is being held at the Harrison County Jail on a $150,000 bond set by Judge Diane Ladner.
The investigation was conducted in collaboration with the DEA and the Gulfport Police Department.
