Citizen complaints lead to major drug bust at ‘Dirt Dynasty’ in Tellico Plains

From Local 3 News: Multiple people are now facing charges after an investigation revealed drug activity at a “Dirt Dynasty” home in Tellico Plains.

Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones says his deputies, alongside the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, obtained a warrant to search a home on Belcher Loop in the Rafter community on Tuesday, March 10.

He says they began investigating the home after multiple citizens filed complaints regarding “suspected drug-related activity and traffic near the home.”

During the search, agents located and seized “felony amounts” of methamphetamine and marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a semi-automatic handgun.

Sheriff Jones did not name any of the people deputies arrested but said they are in the Monroe County Jail facing these charges:

• Possession of methamphetamine for resale
• Possession of marijuana for resale
• Felon in possession of a firearm
• Maintaining a drug dwelling
• Simple possession of methamphetamine
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

A few days before, on Thursday, March 5, deputies had arrested someone during a traffic stop they believed to be “directly involved” in the possession and distribution of meth from the Belcher Loop home.

Sheriff Jones also did not name this person, but they were charged with possessing meth for resale and possession of drug paraphernalia. They are in the Monroe County Jail on a $75,000 bond.

Besides drugs, deputies say they contacted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as the U.S. Forest Service Tellico Ranger District about a portion of the roadway that had been damaged, disrupting the natural flow of a nearby waterway.

“The damage has caused erosion and additional impact to areas within the Cherokee National Forest,” Sheriff Jones stated.

The investigation remains ongoing.