From Local 3 News: Several individuals from the Chattanooga and Atlanta areas were indicted for various charges related to methamphetamine, ketamine, and firearms.
The investigations that began in 2024 also led to the indictment of one individual believed to be a drug cartel member in Mexico.
"This case shows what can happen when local, state, and federal agencies work together for a common goal,” says DTF Director Bill Cherry.
Fourteen suspects were indicted by the Eastern District Federal Court of Tennessee:
Throughout the investigations, law enforcement found the following:
“This was a significant operation that began with local officers working together, that has had widespread effects across the south as out state and Federal partners got involved,” added Director Bill Cherry. “We hope and believe countless lives have been saved and impacted by these efforts.”
Agencies involved:
The investigations that began in 2024 also led to the indictment of one individual believed to be a drug cartel member in Mexico.
"This case shows what can happen when local, state, and federal agencies work together for a common goal,” says DTF Director Bill Cherry.
Fourteen suspects were indicted by the Eastern District Federal Court of Tennessee:
- Chattanooga:
- Corey Peters
- Tinzelle Buchanan
- Athens, Tennessee
- Trevor Hawkins
- Gerard Birk
- Saralyn Miller
- Jason Lemke
- Ashley Roderick
- Daniel Buis
- Etowah
- Trevor Heater
- Jimmy Pike
- Stephen Wattenbarger
- Sweetwater
- Marc Blair
- Atlanta
- Guillemo Mercado
- Mexico
- Dillan Rodriguez Santiago
Throughout the investigations, law enforcement found the following:
- 22 pounds of methamphetamine
- 13,900 fentanyl pills
- 136 grams of fentanyl powder
- 56 firearms
- 4 vehicles
- $60,453 in US currency
“This was a significant operation that began with local officers working together, that has had widespread effects across the south as out state and Federal partners got involved,” added Director Bill Cherry. “We hope and believe countless lives have been saved and impacted by these efforts.”
Agencies involved:
- 10th Judicial Drug Task Force
- Drug Enforcement Agency
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
- US Marshal Service
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigations
- Athens Police Department
- McMinn County Sheriff's Department
- Monroe County Sheriff's Department
- Sweetwater Police Department
- Cleveland Police Department
- Bradley County Sheriff's Department
Posted in Local News
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2026
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