Claiborne traffic stop leads to drug bust

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Five people were arrested on drug charges following a traffic stop in Claiborne County.

On June 25, the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division and Criminal Investigation Division conducted a traffic stop in Tazewell.

During the stop, detectives seized more than a pound of methamphetamine along with fentanyl.

As a result of information gathered during the vehicle stop, a subsequent search warrant was executed at a residence in the Cave Springs community.

Detectives seized methamphetamine and a firearm.

The following five individuals were arrested as part of the investigation and booked into the Claiborne County Jail. All five were charged with Possession of Methamphetamine for Resale and Possession of Fentanyl for Resale.

• Shawn Michael Bradley (DOB: 6/24/1992), Detroit, MI

• Joseph Adam Whitehead (DOB: 09/22/1997), Maryville, TN

• Rebecca Anne Moore (DOB: 02/21/1973), Maryville, TN

• Arron Tyler Payne (DOB: 08/29/1998), Tazewell, TN

• Katie Marie Ann Nicely (DOB: 11/17/2000), Tazewell, TN

The stop was part of the 313 Initiative – a concerted and organized effort by numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to identify, target, and dismantle individuals and groups from the Detroit area who are bringing deadly drug combinations into Knox County and surrounding areas.

The partner agencies in the 313 Initiative include the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office, Knoxville Police Department, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, 4th Judicial Drug Task Force, Sevier County Street Crimes, 5th Judicial Drug Task Force, 7th Judicial Crime Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee, and the District Attorneys General of the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Judicial Districts.

Through the 313 Initiative, information and intelligence will be entered into a database to be shared with partner agencies instead of being locked away in a case file, benefitting all of East Tennessee.

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