Article Courtesy of the Herald-Citizen – Tracey Hackett
A joint operation between the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the 15th Judicial District Drug Task Force has led to the seizure of about a pound of crystal methamphetamine and, ultimately, the possible elimination of up to 30 pounds of meth from being distributed in the Upper Cumberland region annually.
The discovery was made upon the execution of two search warrants over a three-day period in both Putnam and Jackson counties.
Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said the operation should serve as a warning to people attempting to conduct criminal activities in the area.
“As the sheriff of Putnam County, I am fully committed to using all the necessary resources in order to dismantle, disrupt and arrest illegal drug trafficking,” he said.
“If you choose to conduct illegal, criminal activities, including drug trafficking, in this area, my staff and other partners in law enforcement will use every hour of every day hunting you down. Putnam County will not be used as a safe haven for individuals who choose this lifestyle,” Sheriff Farris continued.
The methamphetamine was found upon the execution of a search warrant at a Jackson County home that is being occupied by a convicted felon, said Mike (Sarge) Thompson, director of the 15th Judicial District Drug Task Force.
In addition to Jackson County, the 15th judicial district includes Macon, Smith, Trousdale and Wilson counties.
“The man had been sentenced to prison for bank embezzlement charges out of Smith County in 2002, and investigators believe that the man made a Mexican connection for the methamphetamine while in prison,” Thompson said.
Investigators further believe that the Mexican organization is responsible for the distribution of 10 to 30 pounds of methamphetamine across the Upper Cumberland region over the past year, he said.
“This is one of the largest conspiracies, if not the largest conspiracy, involving methamphetamine that has been discovered by law enforcement in the Upper Cumberland area, and with the disruption of a drug organization of this magnitude, this will have a major effect on available methamphetamine for sale on the streets,” Thompson continued.
The investigation is ongoing, and upon its conclusion, authorities say charges will be presented to the grand jury.
