KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — Five District Attorney Generals and eight local law enforcement agencies created the 313 Initiative one year ago.
Today, there are more than 20 agencies across three states, and federal partners are now a part of it.
The 313 Initiative was formed to continue the fight against the war on drugs in our area. The initiative is named after Detroit’s area code because authorities said Detroit is a main hub that supplies drugs into the Knoxville area.
Those involved say the 313 Initiative is saving lives.
“We are seeing fewer drug dealers, and fewer overdose deaths in Anderson County and in the surrounding counties, just as Knox County is experiencing,” said Attorney General Dave Clark.
Authorities gave an update on the 313 Initiative and two recent investigations on Friday.
“Twenty-three people indicted, nine of them were from Detroit,” said Attorney General Charme Allen. “We have 12 individuals we have taken into custody on outstanding warrants, 15 others were taken in on cleared prior arrests, and we are working strong leads on 27 others.”
In total, authorities said the initiative has led to 246 arrests, 75 pounds of methamphetamine taken off the street along with more than 43 pounds of fentanyl, and 130 firearms seized. Plus, they said more lives are being spared.
According to Allen, around this time last year, there were 487 suspected overdose deaths. As of this year, there are 440 suspected overdose deaths.
“That is 47 individuals that are still alive this year, at this time, that were not alive last year,” said Allen.
Overdose deaths, especially ones related to fentanyl, have become a nationwide problem.
But Allen said combating drugs streaming from Detroit, down the I-75 highway and into East Tennessee will have a ripple effect in how drugs are distributed across the country. The initiative will continue into next year.