Authorities in Cleveland, Tenn., have made nine arrests in an ongoing investigation into a drug pipeline that originates in Detroit and sends highly addictive, illegal prescription medication to Bradley County.
Operation Detroit Boys, as the Cleveland Police Department called it, began six months ago when authorities noticed an influx of drugs coming from Detroit.
Evie West, spokeswoman for the Cleveland Police Department, said the arrests were made as a result of the collaborative effort between several agencies.
“It’s a huge step in the future of our police department as we are working so well with other agencies to conduct investigations like this one,” she said.
The joint effort was conducted with the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force, the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service Eastern District of Tennessee, West said.
In addition to the arrests, law enforcement seized more than $17,000, 458 oxymorphone and oxycodone pills and seven firearms, including two handguns stolen from residents in the Cleveland and Bradley County area, according to West.
“I am very proud of the collaborative effort by the local agencies to bring this investigation to the point where it is, and the hard work they are doing to make the community safer,” said 10th Judicial District Attorney Steve Crump.
Law enforcement won’t release many details about the investigation at this time, since it remains ongoing, but they anticipate more arrests will be made.
Anyone with information about the drug pipeline or those arrested are asked to call the Drug Task Force Tip Line at 423-336-9996.
Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592.