Blount County, Tennessee, has been the latest stage for a large-scale drug bust involving law enforcement at multiple levels. A search warrant executed on Russell Road in Blount County resulted in the arrest of two individuals, Jamie Ivan Henry and Amanda Lynn Whitehead, for a variety of drug-related charges, including possession for resale of various controlled substances and maintaining a drug-involved dwelling. The Blount County Sheriff's Office, along with the Fifth Judicial Drug Task Force and SWAT team members, led the operation.
According to WVLT, the search uncovered a significant amount of narcotics, including cocaine, heroin, mushrooms, suboxone, and marijuana. These drugs, alongside $8,300 in cash and drug paraphernalia, were seized from the residence. Investigators believe the oxycodone pills found at the property to be fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that has been tied to numerous overdose deaths nationwide.
The officials involved in this operation detailed the allegations against the suspects. "Jamie Ivan Henry is charged with possession of a Schedule I controlled substance (heroin) for resale, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (cocaine) for resale, possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance (marijuana) for resale, maintaining a dwelling where drugs are used or sold, and possession of drug paraphernalia," stated Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong, as reported by the Blount County Sheriff's Office Facebook page. "Amanda Lynn Whitehead is charged with possession of a Schedule III controlled substance (suboxone) for resale, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance (mushrooms) for resale, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (stamped oxycodone, but believed to be fentanyl) for resale, maintaining a dwelling where drugs are used or sold, and possession of drug paraphernalia."
According to coverage by WATE, the Fifth Judicial Drug Task Force, which is composed of members from the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, Maryville Police Department, Alcoa Police Department, and the Blount County District Attorney General, led the investigation. Authorities highlighted that this bust is part of an ongoing effort to combat illegal drug activity in the region. The confiscated pills will be sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for further analysis, corroborating the serious nature of this operation and the substances involved.
