NATCHEZ — Two Natchez men face drug-related charges after law enforcement agencies teamed up to make the arrests on July 1.

Zachary Minor and Mario Hartwell both are charged with possession of schedule I drugs, marijuana, with intent to deliver, aggravated trafficking of schedule I drugs and conspiracy to traffic schedule I drugs, said Travis Patten, Adams County sheriff.

The July 1 arrests were the result of a joint investigation by the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group.

Patten said Hartwell and Minor were arrested at 8 Tyler Circle in Natchez after they picked up a package that contained marijuana and candy containing THC.

“Officers apprehended both men when they arrived at the residence to pick up a package that had been delivered to an address on Tyler Circle, which was not addressed to the owner,” Patten said. “When officers approached Hartwell, who was holding the box, he dropped the box and fled the scene on foot and was apprehended a few blocks away. Minor was taken into custody without incident.”

Patten said officers obtained a search warrant for the box and discovered approximately 1-and-a-half pounds of high-grade marijuana and approximately 5 pounds of edible candy containing THC.

“This is just one of several ongoing cases being worked between Adams County Sheriff’s Office and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation,” Patten said, adding he is pleased with the partnership between the two agencies.

The case is still under investigation, and Patten said evidence shows the homeowners had no knowledge of the content of the box, but they were cooperative with officers.