Several arrests were made last week during a major three-day drug sweep of the city involving police officers from both the Selma Police Department and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office.

The team of law enforcement officials arrested 16 people, seized about $3,555 worth of drugs and $4,323 in cash, along with three weapons and two vehicles belonging to alleged drug users.

Lt. John Brock, of the Selma Police Department, said both the SPD’s Narcotics and Patrol divisions, along with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Narcotics division, began their drug sweep on May 4 and ended on the evening of May 6.

“There is a big crime problem here in Selma,” Brock said. “We hit all the drug areas to do as much as we could.”

Jimmy Moore, 60, and Jim Steele, 64,

both residents of the 1300 block of Duke Street, were among the first suspects arrested.

The suspects were taken into custody for unlawful possession of a controlled substance after officers discovered they were carrying about $350 worth of crack cocaine.

Later on, a search warrant was executed 1606 Union Street at the home of 37-year-old Glenn Dale Smith.

Smith was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana second degree and possession drug paraphernalia.

Brock said officers seized about $365 in cash, $276 worth of crack cocaine, a small amount of marijuana, a rifle and shotgun.

“We discovered that the rifle had been stolen,” Brock said.

Around 3 a.m. the following morning, the SPD Patrol Unit arrested five people at 1411 Church Street and charged all of them for drug possession,

Derrick Tate, 23, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana second. Police also found a potted marijuana plant and $109 in currency in his possession.

Yaiwan Levert, 25, was arrested for carrying a stolen pistol and possession of drug paraphernalia.

“Levert is a convicted felon, so there could be more charges added later,” Brock said.

Cassandra Thompson, 27, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and she was also wanted on several warrants.

Laurie Howell, 32, and Isaac Melton, 47, were both charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

On May 5, police conducted a traffic stop on 34-year-old Anthony Marshall and found he was carrying about $500 worth of crack cocaine and some marijuana.

“Marshall was on federal probation, so there will probably be extra charges added later for probation violation,” Brock said.

Police apprehended five additional people this same day at various locations around the Selma.

At the intersection of Henry and Gains streets, Domonic Bethal, 19, and Lakeisha Riddle, 26, were both charged with possession of marijuana second degree.

Markell Marks, 34, was arrested for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and public intoxication at the intersection of Duke Street and L.L. Anderson.

Brock said Marks had about $100 worth of crack cocaine hidden in his sock at the time of his arrest.

Charlene Walker, 29, was taken into custody at the corner of Leroy and Keller streets after being caught with $50 worth of marijuana in her pocket.

James Braxton, 34, was pulled over in a traffic stop on St. Phillips Street after patrol officers spotted him smoking a marijuana cigarette in his vehicle.

“He was still smoking the joint when police walked up to his car,” Brock said.

Officers also found that Braxton was carrying powdered cocaine.

On May 6, the final day of the drug sweep, police arrested two more people.

A search of Steven Finley’s home on Matthew Lane revealed the suspect had about $130 worth of crack cocaine and marijuana. He was also charged with unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

“Police seized about $1,798 in cash from Finley also,” Brock said.

The last person to be apprehended during the drug sweep was Codie Finch, who was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after police found him carrying w10 bags of the drug in this pockets.

All of these suspects were booked, processed and taken to the Dallas County Jail.

“This was just the tip of the iceberg,” Brock said. “Eventually, we are going to have this drug problem under control. It just takes the manpower and time.”