SEQUATCHIE, Tenn. — Lawmen swept into Marion County today with a list of nearly 40 names of people they wanted to arrest on drug charges.

By late this afternoon, nearly 30 were in custody.

A year-long investigation by Marion County detectives Chad Johnson and Gene Hargis with assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms led to the suspects being indicted.

The offenses range from possession to sale of marijuana, methamphetamine, prescription pills and crack-cocaine.

Police with Jasper, Kimball, Whitwell, Powells Crossroads, South Pittsburg, the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the U.S. Marshals Service also assisted in the sweep.

Those arrested today and others still being sought face a range of felony drug possession and distribution charges, some of which may bring federal charges once the investigation is complete, Detective Johnson said.

Marion County Sheriff Ronnie “Bo” Burnett said the sweeps “make a statement” to the community about efforts to fight drug crime.

“The drug trade brings property crime and domestic crime,” Sheriff Burnett said.

Police may not have grabbed every person on the indictment Thursday, but Sgt. Kevin McNabb of the Marion Sheriff’s Office wasn’t worried.

“The rest will buy time until they get caught,” he said. “They’ll all get caught eventually.”

See complete story in Friday’s Times Free Press.