The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, Smithville Police, and Alexandria Police Departments conducted a roundup of defendants Monday who were named in Grand Jury Sealed indictments last week as a result of undercover drug investigations.
The arrests stemmed from two separate year long undercover operations, including one by the Smithville Police Department, and a joint investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and the Alexandria Police Department.
Those indicted will appear for arraignment in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Monday, December 8 at 9:00 a.m.
In each case, the defendants were indicted for allegedly selling illegal drugs to undercover operatives. “The drugs bought in our investigation were marijuana, cocaine, hydrocodone, xanax, suboxone strips, percocets, roxycontin, subutex, and valium. They were bought in the city limits of Alexandria, Liberty, Dowelltown, and Smithville,” said Sheriff Patrick Ray.
“We started (our investigation) about a year ago, I guess. There’s a lot of time involved in doing it right. The sheriff has always been good to come in help us out and I sure do appreciate it because I am limited in manpower and assets, “said Alexandria Police Chief Mark Collins.
The Sheriff’s Department/Alexandria Police Department probe resulted in indictments against twelve persons for selling drugs, two for theft, and three for either manufacturing marijuana or possession of marijuana with intent to resell.
Eleven persons were indicted in the Smithville Police Department’s investigation. One of those was also indicted on two counts of TennCare Fraud.
“Our investigation began in January 2014. They (officers) did a good job. It went well and the round up went smoothly” said Smithville Police Chief Randy Caplinger.
According to Lieutenant Detective Matt Holmes, Detective Brandon Donnell, and K-9 Officer James Cornelius, the Smithville Police Department’s investigation netted indictments against persons who had sold drugs including hydrocodone, suboxone, xanax, dilaudid, and morphine.
Although the Smithville Police Department’s operation was conducted separately from the Sheriff’s Department /Alexandria Police Department investigation, Sheriff Ray said all cases were presented to the grand jury on the same day last Monday, November 24 and all departments worked together in rounding up the defendants Monday, December 1. Constable Mark Milam also helped in the roundup.
Those arrested were brought to the Main Station of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department to be processed and booked. Sheriff Ray said he wishes to thank the fire department for allowing officers to use the building for this purpose on Monday.
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