Early Morning Drug Sweep Yields Dozens of Arrests
PARIS, Tenn. – Dozens of accused drug dealers are behind bars after authorities conduct a sweep in Henry County. The suspects were arrested on a range of charges. “Everything from marijuana, to pharmaceuticals, to crack cocaine, to meth amphetamine, but they’re all bad,” Sheriff Monte Belew with the Henry County Sheriff’s Department said. “They’re all addictive, and they all basically can ruin your life and everything you love and care for.” At the crack of dawn, Wednesday, officers from local and state agencies, along with the drug task force, formed five arrest teams as they targeted 41 suspects on 72 charges. “These are people that sold drugs in Henry County, period,” Sheriff Belew said. “They were selling drugs in Henry County. Some of them are repeat offenders.” Sheriff Belew said that by getting dozens of accused drug offenders off the streets, the community can breathe easier knowing that Operation Broken Arrow has made Henry County a safer place. “So many crimes are connected and associated with drugs, whether it be a theft, robbery, burglary, or whatever it may be,” Sheriff Belew said. “It all boils back to the use of drugs or addictions.” Although this roundup will not be the end of drug use in Henry County, officials said they will continue to battle the ongoing problem. “The war on drugs is a fight worth getting in, and we’re in it with both feet,” Sheriff Belew said. “The jail population is on the rise unfortunately, but that’s the result of these defendants selling drugs.” More than 30 of the suspects have been arrested so far, but officials expect that number to rise.
