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Friday, October 30, 2026Oct 30

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Three charged in heroin ring

A four-month undercover operation by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office led to the discovery of an organized heroin ring that sent three people to jail.

The sheriff’s office narcotics and special operations division was investigating heroin distribution in the area and discovered that the ring also has ties to several cities in Southeast Tennessee, said spokeswoman Janice Atkinson.

Clarence Roberts, 59, and James “Preston” Brown, 25, of Chattanooga, were arrested and charged with four counts of possession of heroin for resale, Ms. Atkinson said. They were booked into the Hamilton County Jail, where they are being held.

Nicole Gouvista, 32, of Atlanta, is being held there on unrelated drug charges and will be charged with possession of cocaine in Chattanooga, Ms. Atkinson said.

All three cases will be presented to the U.S. attorney’s office for prosecution, she said.