NATCHEZ — A Natchez man was arrested after drug enforcement agents confiscated 4.5 pounds of marijuana in addition to drug paraphernalia at his residence.

Justin Jamaal Blackwell, 22, 11A Ingram Circle, was arrested Friday evening on charges of possession of marijuana within 1,500 feet of a church zone with intent to distribute.

Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputies and agents with Metro Narcotics went to Blackwell’s Ingram Circle address at approximately 6:30 p.m. Friday on evidence they had gathered through an ongoing investigation.

After the primary resident of the address gave the agents permission to search the residence, officers found 4.5 pounds of marijuana broken into several bags sorted by the pound, ounce and gram.

Depending on how they are sold, the drugs have an approximate street value of $3,000.

The agents also seized $2,220 in suspected drug money, scales for weighing drugs, packaging materials and a number of Xanax bars.

“This is the result of continued investigation of drug trafficking in this area and going after the bigger suppliers and focusing on the larger dealers out there,” Mayfield said.

“A lot of time we (arrest) a lot of street level dealers, but that is part of the process of climbing the ladder to catch people higher up the ladder. Perseverance takes us to these larger loads.”

The matter remains under investigation.

Blackwell was detained without bond until arraignment.