Corinth Police Seize 12,000 Fentanyl Pills in Largest Drug Bust in City History

Corinth police announced the largest fentanyl seizure in the city's history Friday, recovering 12,000 counterfeit prescription pills laced with the deadly synthetic opioid and arresting two individuals believed to be connected to a Mexico-based drug trafficking network.

The bust, the result of a three-month joint investigation by the Corinth Police Department and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN), underscores the reach of the fentanyl crisis into small-town America — even into communities like Corinth, a northeast Mississippi city of approximately 14,000 residents.

The Investigation

The investigation began in April when Corinth Police received a tip from a concerned citizen about suspicious activity at a residence on Cruise Street, near the city's downtown district. Undercover officers with the department's Narcotics Division began surveillance and eventually identified what they believed to be a distribution hub for counterfeit prescription pills.

On Thursday evening, officers executed a search warrant at the residence and discovered approximately 12,000 pills disguised to look like oxycodone prescription tablets. Laboratory testing later confirmed that the pills contained fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and up to 100 times more potent than morphine.

"These pills look exactly like real prescription medication," said Corinth Police Chief Ralph Dance. "Someone takes what they think is a legitimate painkiller, and it kills them. That's how fentanyl works. It's indiscriminate, and it's deadly."

Officers also seized $48,000 in cash, two firearms — including one reported stolen from a residence in nearby Alcorn County — and a vehicle believed to have been used to transport the drugs.

Two Suspects Arrested

Two individuals were taken into custody at the scene. DeMarcus Williams, 29, of Memphis, Tennessee, and Crystal Holt, 26, of Corinth, were each charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison under Mississippi law. Williams faces an additional charge of possession of a stolen firearm.

According to Chief Dance, the investigation indicates that the pills were being shipped from a source in Mexico through Memphis and distributed to buyers across northeast Mississippi and western Tennessee. The two suspects are believed to have been distributing between 2,000 and 3,000 pills per month in the Corinth area.

"These aren't street-level dealers," Dance said. "This is an organized operation. The volume we seized represents a significant distribution network, and we believe we've cut off a major supply line."

The investigation is ongoing, and Chief Dance said additional arrests are expected. The MBN and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are assisting with the case.

A Crisis That Knows No Borders

While large-scale drug busts are commonly associated with major metropolitan areas, Chief Dance emphasized that the fentanyl crisis has reached every corner of the country — including small cities like Corinth.

"People think this is a big-city problem," Dance said. "It's not. Fentanyl is everywhere. It's in our schools, it's in our neighborhoods, and it's killing our kids. A city the size of Corinth isn't immune."

According to the Mississippi State Department of Health, fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Mississippi increased by 47% from 2023 to 2025. In Alcorn County, where Corinth is the county seat, there were 11 confirmed fentanyl-related overdose deaths in 2025, up from 4 in 2023.

"The numbers tell the story," Dance said. "Eleven deaths in a county of 37,000 people. That's a crisis. And every one of those pills we seized could have been another death."

Community Response

News of the bust was met with relief and gratitude from Corinth residents, many of whom have been personally affected by the opioid epidemic.

"I buried my nephew two years ago," said Corinth resident Patricia Morgan. "He was 22 years old. He took a pill he thought was a Percocet, and it was fentanyl. He was dead in twenty minutes. If this bust saves even one family from going through what mine went through, it's worth everything."

Mayor Tommy Irwin praised the police department's work and pledged continued support for narcotics enforcement. "This is exactly the kind of proactive police work our community needs," Irwin said. "Chief Dance and his officers are on the front lines of a crisis that's taking lives across this country, and they're doing outstanding work."

What Happens Next

Williams and Holt are being held at the Alcorn County Jail on $500,000 bond each. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for later this month.

Chief Dance said the department plans to increase patrols and community outreach efforts in the areas where the pills were being distributed. He also urged residents to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity.

"If you see something, say something," Dance said. "This bust started with a tip from a citizen. That tip may well have saved lives."