Undercover operation in Crockett Co. leads to arrests of suspected drug dealers
CROCKETT COUNTY, Tenn.– This week agents and deputies arrested 28 people in Crockett county and seized marijuana, crack cocaine and thousands of pills weighing more than 30 pounds. 28 people indicted and arrested as part of “Operation Cracked Sidewalks.”
Those arrested are a suspected drug dealer, arrested in an undercover sting led by the West Tennessee Drug Task Force, but requested by Crockett County Sheriff Troy Klyce.
“Street dealers are more apt to deal with people they know,” Crockett County Sheriff Troy Klyce said. “So it takes some time to work into some of these situations. Its a lot of hard work,” said Sheriff Klyce.
Since March, Special Agent Johnie Carter said agents were able to buy cocaine and prescription pills; even uncover the start of an illegal marijuana farm. It also led to the raid at Bonifield Pharmacy and Malone’s Bar and Grill, stories WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News first told you about in April.
The sheriff said these street deals contribute to bigger operations and other crimes in Crockett County.
“That’s just what you know they did,” Sheriff Klyce said. “You don’t know whats gong on behind the scenes. It’s all kind of illegal activity involved in these situation. From not only them but whoever they are selling to.”
“A lot of the drug users are responsible for a lot of the property crimes that you see,” West Tennessee Drug Task Force special agent in charge Johnie Carter said. “A lot of our burglaries, a lot of our thefts, a lot of our assaults.”
Klyce saids this operation has put a dent in illegal drug activity. He knows the fight is not over and something the drug task force is constantly fighting.
“They may not always see us while we’re working, but we’re almost always working behind the scenes to make the community safer,” Carter said.
Special agent Carter said they have two more arrests to make in this operation. According to the sheriff, those already arrested during this operation will appear before a judge on Monday.
If you suspect drug activity in your community, call the West Tennessee Drug Task Force’s anonymous tip line at (731) 784-0555.
