The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and the Smithville Police Department have been working together in a joint operation that is taking a big bight out of crime. Authorities say that two major drug dealers have been arrested so far.

On February 5, 61-year-old Tommye Lou Bell of Hawkins Drive, Smithville, was arrested for schedule II drug Fentanyl, schedule I heroin, schedule VI marijuana, schedule II morphine, schedule IV Diazepam, and possession of a weapon. She is under a $210,000 bond and she is due to appear in court on February 16.

Also arrested that night was 35-year-old Gary Christopher Ponder of South College Street, Smithville. He is charged with two counts of sale and delivery of a schedule I drug. He is under a $100,000 bond and he is due in court on February 23.

According to Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins, two search warrants were executed on two different locations last Sunday night. “On February 5, 2023, in a joint operation with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and the Smithville Police Department, two search warrants were served at two different addresses. One was on Bell at 136 Hawkins Drive, Smithville, and the other was on Ponder at 1222 South College Street, Smithville, Apartment C-1.”

At Bell’s address Sheriff Patrick Ray said the search revealed 26 baggies of a powdery substance believed to be heroin/Fentanyl, at 103.31 grams, with an approximate street value of $15,000.

A variety of marijuana products were also discovered, including 28 bags of a green leafy substance weighing a total of 7.4 ounces, 10 baggies of marijuana edibles, four jars of marijuana cigarettes, and four tubes containing marijuana joints.

Sheriff Ray also reported that there were two 30 milligram morphine pills and 3.5 Diazepam pills also located. Numerous baggies, scales and other paraphernalia were also located during the search.

Also seized was approximately $20,000 in cash, a 2021 Honda CRV, and a Glock 43 9mm handgun and ammo. Bell faces other charges to be levied at a later date.

In Ponder’s case, a detective with the Smithville Police Department reported that on February 2, Ponder sold 3.3 grams of heroin to a confidential source working with police. Ponder allegedly sold 14 grams of heroin again on February 5. He was also arrested Sunday night.

“I’m glad to be in an operation with the Smithville Police Department,” Sheriff Ray said. “We had a good night and were able to knock off a big dealer and take drugs off the streets here in DeKalb County.”

“We wear different badges, but we are all on the same team,” Chief Collins added. “We just want to get this dope off the streets.”