ILL-GOTTEN GAINS – Various drugs, paraphernalia, and more than $30,000 in cash were seized during the roundup on Jan. 10.
An undercover operation spanning 15 months into the sale of illicit drugs throughout Carroll and adjacent counties has resulted in the indictment and arrest of dozens of individuals. On Tuesday, Jan. 10, during an extensive roundup involving numerous law enforcement agencies, various drugs, vehicles, explosive devices, weapons, and more than $30,000 in cash were seized after warrants were handed down from the grand jury.
“Operation Dark Crystal,” led by special agents with the Drug Investigation Division of TBI, Huntingdon Police Department (HPD), McKenzie Police Department (MPD), and the 24th Judicial Drug Task Force (DTF) began in September 2021. During the investigation, authorities conducted surveillance and research and completed multiple purchases of controlled substances.
On Tuesday, Jan. 3, the Carroll County Grand Jury returned indictments, charging 61 people in connection to the ongoing investigation. On Jan. 10, more than 90 officers from 15 agencies participated in a roundup to bring the individuals into custody.
Along with TBI, HPD, MPD, and DTF, other agencies assisting with arrests during the roundup included the Big Sandy Police Department (PD), Tenn. Highway Patrol, Drug Enforcement Admin., Homeland Security Investigations, 27th Judicial DTF, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Bolivar PD, Bruceton PD, Lexington PD, and the Tenn. Dept. of Corrections.
After the roundup on Jan. 10, 47 individuals from 12 towns had been taken into custody and charged as a result of the indictments. Those charged hailed from Atwood, Bruceton, Camden, Cedar Grove, Hollow Rock, Humboldt, Huntingdon, Lavinia, McKenzie, Murfreesboro, Paris, and Trezevant. Each defendant was booked into the Carroll County Jail on bonds ranging from $50,000 to $2 million.
Operation Dark Crystal remains an active and ongoing investigation, with more indictments and arrests expected. See mugshots and charges of those arrested on page 12A.
