If you drive northeast of Chattanooga for about an hour, you will arrive in Athens, Tennessee. The town of about 13,000 residents bills itself as “the friendly city” that is “conveniently located between Knoxville and Chattanooga.”
That friendliness was nowhere to be found when law enforcement officers recently raided a home there and made two arrests on drug-trafficking charges.
According to a local news report, a search warrant was served during the raid that was the culmination of “a lengthy investigation into the sale of illegal drugs at the home.”
When officers made their way into the home, they found three adults inside, as well as a five-week-old infant. The officers also reported finding about “three pounds of suspected methamphetamine and approximately one-half pound of suspected heroin,” according to a statement from the Athens police department.
Law enforcement officials estimated the street value of the drugs at approximately $21,000. The meth and heroin were seized during the raid, and the Tennessee Department of Children Services was called to take custody of the baby.
Two of the adults inside were arrested. A man was charged with sale and delivery of a Schedule II drug (methamphetamine) and a woman was arrested on an identical charge, as well as sale and delivery of a Schedule I drug (heroin) and child endangerment.
Both people face the possibility of harsh punishments if convicted on the charges, including time in prison and fines. If you are in a similar situation, decline to speak to prosecutors until you’ve talked over the allegations, evidence and your legal options with a skilled criminal defense attorney.
