KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Five people are behind bars after a major drug bust in Knoxville uncovered a large amount of fentanyl, firearms, and cash.
According to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO), the Narcotics Unit, Organized Retail Crime Unit, and SWAT team executed a search warrant early Sunday morning at a residence on Silver Spur Lane, located off Lovell Road. The operation was part of the 313 Initiative, which targets drug trafficking operations tied to the Detroit area.
Inside the home, investigators seized:
Over 2.5 pounds of pure fentanyl
Cutting agents used to dilute the drug
Two handguns
More than $10,000 in cash
KCSO reported that the seized fentanyl represents over 4,500 potential doses, with a street value estimated at more than $500,000.
The following individuals were arrested and face multiple felony charges:
Asher Merritt – Detroit, Michigan
Derek Bryant – Detroit, Michigan
Joshawn Wilson – Detroit, Michigan
Jason Washington – Benton Hill, Michigan
Taylor Fair-Beck – Knoxville, Tennessee
The bust came just days after a separate raid in Knox County that resulted in three arrests and the removal of three children from a home suspected of housing drugs.
In a statement, the sheriff’s office said, “This is just another example of our continued effort to protect Knox County and keep deadly poison out of our community.”
The 313 Initiative is a joint effort among dozens of law enforcement agencies working to disrupt drug pipelines from Detroit to Tennessee.
