TAZEWELL — Thirty-two individuals have been arrested in what Claiborne County Sheriff David Ray is calling the “Biggest drug round up in Claiborne County’s history.”

Officers from the CCSO along with individuals from the 8th Judicial Drug Task Force, Tazewell Police Department, Office of the Inspector General, Tennessee Meth Task Force, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation gathered at the Claiborne County Justice Center at 7:00 a.m. Friday morning to begin the roundup.

By 6 p.m. Friday, nearly half of the 55 suspects had been transported to the Justice Center. Suspects were arrested on charges varying from the sale of cocaine to the sale of illegal prescription drugs or marijuana.

Upon arrival suspects were “swabbed down” by the TN Meth Task Force to check for drug exposure. By swabbing a person’s skin and clothing the Task Force is able to determine what drugs the person has been in contact with.

As of Monday, July 28, the CCSO had arrested 32 individuals. The CCSO will continue to investigate drugs in Claiborne County and will assist all other agencies fighting the same battle.

The round up, which was kept secret, was the result of a seven month long investigation by the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). Approximately 55 people were charged with drug related sales totaling well over 100 charges. In order to keep the raid quiet Sheriff Ray made a request for Capias, or arrest, warrants which enabled the department to by pass indictments from the Grand Jury. After the individuals were arrested, bond was set and they were arraigned.

Sheriff Ray explained each suspect would be given a trail date and the General Sessions Court Judge would determine if the case would go on to the Grand Jury.

The CCSO would like to thank all the good citizens for the information received and encourage those who have any information concerning illegal drug trafficking to please contact the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office at: (423) 626-2501.

Photos: Officers from the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department arrested 32 individuals during one of the largest drug round ups in the history of Claiborne County. The Sheriff’s department, along with several other agencies, is actively investigating illegal drug trafficking in Claiborne County. Above, John Keller being arrested.

On Friday July 25, 2008 the Tennessee Meth Task Force came to the Claiborne County Justice Center to do a “swabbing” procedure on individuals brought in from the drug round up. The procedure involves swabbing the individual’s skin and clothes to determine what drugs the person was exposed to. (ANDREA SCHNEIDER/Claiborne Progress)