Knoxville police hit a suspected cocaine network hard on Thursday, rounding up more than a dozen people in a citywide sweep that investigators say disrupted a local distribution operation. The crackdown involved multiple arrests and search warrants across Knoxville, along with seizures of drugs, guns, and cash. Authorities say the investigation is still active as officers work to locate other indicted individuals and process those already in custody.
Seizures and indictments
Police say the arrests followed grand‑jury indictments tied to an alleged distribution conspiracy and that the operation turned up a sizable cache of narcotics and weapons. According to WBIR, officials report seizing five firearms, about 150 grams of cocaine, more than 100 grams of suspected fentanyl, roughly 70 grams of methamphetamine, approximately two pounds of marijuana, and over $10,000 in cash, along with other drug paraphernalia.
Who was taken into custody?
The department identified several people who were taken into custody, including Laura Proctor, Erica Edwards, Keith Smith, Thomas Solomon, Jarret Heard, Shawndria Hall, Jackie Cantrell, Dexter Mayes, Jaharrius Chambers, Jermichael Harris, Casey Woodley, and Domonique Hall. Many of the defendants were indicted on counts that include conspiracy to distribute more than 300 grams of cocaine. KPD Chief Paul Noel said, "I'm proud of the Organized Crime Unit and grateful to our federal partners; the investigation and indictment will help disrupt the deadly narcotics flow and make Knoxville safer." The FBI separately arrested Davante Nail on federal drug‑trafficking charges, as reported by WBIR.
How the sweep unfolded
KPD said initial searches focused on two apartments on S. Olive Street and that the arrests were carried out by its Organized Crime Unit working alongside Special Operations, the Community Engagement Response Team, the Violent Crimes Unit, and the Drug‑Related Death Task Force. Those operational teams are listed on the Knoxville Police Department website and are regularly used for multi‑site narcotics investigations. Investigators added that the case remains active and that efforts are ongoing to locate additional indicted people.
What comes next
The defendants will be processed through local courts, with some facing state conspiracy counts, while at least one arrest was federal, which means there could be parallel prosecutions. Large drug and firearm conspiracies in the Eastern District of Tennessee have previously led to federal indictments and lengthy sentences, underscoring how local and federal partners often coordinate on complex trafficking investigations, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Tennessee. KPD said it will release further details as charges are filed and court proceedings begin.
