GULFPORT -- A federal grand jury has indicted a member of the Army National Guard and his wife in a federal drug conspiracy accusing them of selling synthetic narcotics, anti-anxiety medication, the club drug Ecstasy and other drugs shipped to them from other countries, court records show.
David Cooper, 44, and Regina Cooper, 48, both of Gulfport, were indicted on one count each of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and attempt to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and four counts each of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. The alleged crimes occurred between December 2012 and May.
The drugs were synthetic narcotics similar to spice or bath salts, Ecstasy and the anti-anxiety drug Xanax.
During a initial hearing in early June, a Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agent said evidence indicates David Cooper was receiving large shipments of narcotics at his home from countries such as India, Pakistan and China.
A year's worth of emails and text messages found at the Coopers' home indicated the synthetic narcotics were being distributed to some military members because synthetic drugs do no show up in drug tests.
Authorities first arrested the Coopers in May after a package addressed to David Cooper containing a white powdery substance was intercepted at a New York airport.
A controlled delivery of the package was made, and the Coopers' home was searched.
Authorities seized a large amount of different kinds of synthetic drugs, 300 doses of alprazolam and 1,100 grams of Ecstasy. They also found a recipe for making Xanax.
The Coopers were out of jail on bond on the state charges when they were picked up in early June in the federal case.
The MBN agent testified a review of David Cooper's text messages and emails indicated he continued to communicate with his drug contacts after he was released on bond on the state charges and appeared to still be distributing synthetic drugs.
In addition, the agent said, a video recovered shows David Cooper manufacturing a controlled substance himself. On the video is a small child and on the audio, David Cooper can be heard complaining about his pill press not working correctly.
During the investigation, authorities also seized label makers, a heat sealer, a pill press, empty capsules, postal-tracking receipts and documents related to buying and selling illegal narcotics and empty shipping boxes.
The Coopers are due in court Tuesday for an initial court appearance.
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