Pass Christian Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Over 100 Pounds of Pure Methamphetamine

 Agents also Recovered Almost One Kilogram of Fentanyl During Execution of Search Warrant

Gulfport, Miss – Aaron Conrad Whavers, 50, of Pass Christian, pled guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director Steve Maxwell.

“I commend our federal and state partners for their incredible work in catching this drug dealer and seizing these massive quantities of illegal drugs, saving countless lives in the process.  We will continue this important work with our partners in battling the scourge of meth, fentanyl and other illegal narcotics that destroy lives, tear apart families, and kill our people every single day,” said U.S. Attorney Hurst. 

“Working in partnership with local, state, and federal authorities to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Mississippi is a priority for MBN,” said Colonel Steven Maxwell, Director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. “Thus, the removal of drug traffickers and violent offenders from our businesses and residential communities is imperative."

"Partnerships between law enforcement agencies is essential to identify, investigate and prosecute the illegal distribution of narcotics," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sutphin. "Criminal activity has no place in our society, and law enforcement throughout Mississippi will continue working together to make our communities safer."

Whavers was arrested November 4, 2019, at his home in Pass Christian following an investigation into methamphetamine trafficking from California to Mississippi.  Starting in July 2019, during an investigation by Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and FBI Safe Streets Task Force, agents seized approximately 3 kilograms of pure methamphetamine in Pascagoula.  In August, agents purchased approximately 3 kilograms of pure methamphetamine in Pass Christian.  In November, agents learned the source of supply had traveled to Mississippi from California at which time they executed search warrants on Whavers’ home and a tractor trailer.  They recovered over 37 kilograms of methamphetamine, 988 grams of fentanyl and a hand gun.  The DEA lab confirmed most of the methamphetamine was 100% pure.

Whavers faces not less than 10 years or up to life in prison.  He further faces fines up to $10,000,000 and at least 5 years of supervised release.  Sentencing is set for January 5, 2021, at 1:30 PM.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics investigated the case.  The FBI Safe Streets Task Force is a Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) initiative and receives funding from the Office of National Drug Control Policy in Washington, D.C.  It is made up of Special Agents from the FBI and law enforcement officers from the Pascagoula, Moss Point, Gautier and Ocean Springs Police Departments, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, MBN, and U.S. Border Patrol.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.