313 Initiative Leads to ‘Staggering’ Drug Bust in Knox County, Sheriff Says

Investigators stopped several cars believed to be connected to a suspicious house on Tuesday, KCSO said, taking four people into custody. (Courtesy: KCSO)

313 Initiative Leads to ‘Staggering’ Drug Bust in Knox County, Sheriff Says

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Describing their findings as “staggering,” detectives with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division make a big drug bust Tuesday in Knox County.

KCSO officials say investigators stopped several cars believed to be connected to a suspicious house, taking four people into custody and seizing several quantities of drugs to include 302 grams of fentanyl. Police also recovered 16 firearms and nearly $14,000 in cash:

  • 16 firearms (including 3 automatic weapons & 2 Short barreled rifles)
  • 302 grams of fentanyl (equivalent to 151,000 lethal doses)
  • 88.5 grams of methamphetamine
  • 14.7 grams of cocaine
  • 7 grams of marijuana
  • $13,935 in cash

Court records identify those arrested as Aaron Barrett, Jamar Cortez, Gregory Seaton and Donta Stewart.

KCSO says the investigation is part of the ongoing 313 Initiative, a program in partnership with law enforcement agencies in East Tennessee and Detroit to crack down on drug crime in East Tennessee.

“The relentless efforts of our dedicated detectives continue to disrupt drug trafficking organizations that are poisoning our community,” KCSO said. “Every bust like this saves lives and helps keep Knox County safe.”

(Left to right) Aaron Barrett, Jamar Cortez, Gregory Seaton and Donta Stewart (Courtesy: KCSO)

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