Hattiesburg police officer fired amid drug allegations

A Hattiesburg police officer has been terminated amidst allegations that he is involved in a state and federal drug investigation.

Officer Thomas Wheeler was dismissed from the police department earlier this month after federal agents broke up an alleged drug transaction August 8th off Interstate 20 in Warren County, according to WDAM's Ryan Moore.

Wheeler and Elijah Moore, of Covington County, were allegedly detained when officials found and confiscated more than 600 pounds of high-grade marijuana in an abandoned parking lot near the Flowers exit, WDAM reports.

"Officer Thomas Wheeler's employment has been terminated with the City Of Hattiesburg which is a personnel matter therefore we do not have any further comment," said a written statement from Hattiesburg Police Department spokesman Lt. Jon Traxler.

WDAM reports that Wheeler has not been charged at this time as a part of the ongoing investigation, and is pending an October grand jury decision. Warren County jail records show Elijah Moore was charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance and released on a $20,000 bond.

FBI officials said they could not comment on the investigation.

Both men will be brought before the grand jury, officials said. According to WDAM, the investigation continues and further arrests and charges could be on the way.

Wheeler, a former Covington County deputy, joined Hattiesburg's police force in August of last year.