More than 50 suspected drug offenders are off the streets in Loudon County, as part of Operation Methamfelony, one of the largest roundups in county history.
is underway in Loudon County, with authorities working to round up 71 people facing drug charges.
Officers with the 9th Judicial District Drug Task Force (DTF) and other law enforcement partners set out early this morning to arrest 71 dealers suspected of being involved in the distribution of mainly crystal methamphetamine, heroin and crack cocaine.
The indictments came after months of investigative work, starting in August 2018, using confidential sources and informants and approximately 150 undercover buys.
“This has been an impressive operation, a well planned out and well-oiled machine, one that should be a message to Loudon County that if you do drugs, sell drugs or posses drugs, especially heroine and meth, in Loudon County, you will get caught and you will get brought to justice” said Sheriff Tim Guider.
In a release, 9th District Attorney General Russell Johnson said that there's been a dramatic increase in the availability of crystal methamphetamine from Mexico. With the influx comes cheaper prices for purer forms of meth, which makes it even more dangerous.
In addition to meth, some of the suspects have also been charged with the distribution on heroin and fentanyl.
PARTNERSHIPS: The DTF partnered with the 9th District Attorney General’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and had assistance from the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office Patrol and K-9 Divisions, Lenoir City Police Department, Loudon Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), United States Marshal’s Service, State Probation and Parole, 7th Judicial Drug Task Force, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Knoxville Police Department Drug Related Death Task Force, State Probation and Parole, Homeland Security Investigation, Dangerous Drugs Task Force and National Guard Counter Drug Operations and Aviation.