Great Smoky Mountain Journal-Cocke County Drug Bust Nets 48 Arrests, Citations




The Great Smoky Mountain Journal Staff Reports Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 11:20 AM

Cocke County Drug Bust Nets 48 Arrests, Citations
A joint operation between the Cocke County Sheriff's Office, the Newport Police Department and the Tennessee Highway Patrol resulted in multiple arrests and citations. 16 officers were involved in "Operation Country Road." Three were city patrolmen, three were Cocke County Narcotic Officers, four Cocke County deputies and six were Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers. The operation began at 3 p.m. on August 3 and ended at 10 p.m. They conducted saturation patrols in the Carson Springs, Northport and Cosby areas. Eight people were arrested and 48 criminal and traffic citations were issued for various other offenders. The operation netted two hand guns, two vehicles, two long rifles, suboxone, approximately 1.3 ounces of methamphetamine, approximately eight grams of marijuana, 1.4 grams of cocaine, hashish oil, hypodermic needles, drug paraphernalia, digital scales and packaging materials. Officials say these operations will be ongoing as they continue to make roadways a safer place to travel. The following individuals were found to violate various laws during the operation: Frank Shelton, age 32 Possession of schedule 2 Opanna Possession of drug paraphernalia Driving on suspended No Insurance James Cole JR, age 51 Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony Possession of schedule 2 methamphetamine with intent for resale, 29 grams Possession of schedule 6 marijuana with intent to resale, 8 grams Possession of drug paraphernalia Steven Kip Smith, age 30 Driving on suspended license Possession of schedule 2 methamphetamine, 1 gram Tampering with evidence: He admitted to swallowing 2 grams of methamphetamine Matt Douglas, age 38 Possession of schedule 3 suboxone Bruce Chandler, age 65 Possession of schedule 2 Oxymorphone Chester Rollins, age 57 Driving under the influence second offense Implied Consent Tampering with Evidence Possession of schedule 2 cocaine Jessee Ochoa, age 27 Possession of schedule 6 Hashish Oil Possession of drug paraphernalia Driving on a revoked driver's license No Insurance, violation of Tennessee Registration Law Michele Erkan, age 48 Felony possession of schedule 6 marijuana Driving Under the Influence Speeding Brian Champlin, age 29 Felony possession of marijuana All were arrested except Jessee Ochoa. He was criminally cited.