Major drug bust by TBI

A fifteen month long undercover operation, conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Drug Investigative Division, the Dyer County Sheriff’s Department and the Dyersburg Police Department has resulted in the indictment of 31 individuals on a multitude of drug and other charges. This undercover drug operation, called MACO (Multi Agency Covert Operation), targeted individuals who are considered mid-level drug dealers as well as street level dealers. Undercover officers purchased different amounts of illegal narcotics, ranging from small amounts of methamphetamines, cocaine and marijuana to several thousands dollars worth of crack cocaine. Officers also purchased a number of prescription drugs, including the highly addictive and extremely dangerous prescription drug oxycontin. Nearly $35,000.00 was spent on illegal drugs and weapons. During the operation the three agencies purchased or seized nearly 3 pounds of crack cocaine, approximately 2.5 pounds of powder cocaine and 47 ounces of marijuana. This includes 8 ounces of crack seized during the execution of a search warrant and 2.2 pounds of powder cocaine seized during a sting operation. The agencies also purchased approximately 1000 pills of various types of prescription drugs. Several of the individuals will face numerous charges and are repeat offenders. TBI Special Agent in Charge Roger Hughes, Dyersburg Police Chief Bobby Williamson and Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Holt agreed the joint operation was a tremendous success due to the great amount of cooperation between the three agencies in accomplishing the single goal of ridding the community of illegal drugs and weapons.