Dozens Arrested in Sequatchie Valley ''Operation Prescription''

Wednesday afternoon, the Sequatchie County Sheriff's Department led Operation Prescription. Agencies came together to try to catch people accused of committing drug related crimes.

By noon, Sequachie County deputies had arrested 30 people. Many were charged with illegal use of prescription medication.

Sheriff Ronnie Hitchcock said, "What we are trying to do is get the drugs off the streets before they get into the hands of teenagers and children."

Members of the Sheriff's Department, ATF, DTP and Dunlap police department gathered to give 79 accused criminals a dose of the law.

Our cameras followed officers as they made arrests. When we pulled up to one house, the suspect ran from officers but they caught him. And only a few minutes later, went to his sister's house and arrested her too. Both face charges of selling prescription pills.

Sheriff Hitchcock says already, this investigation has taken 1800 pills and 19,000 dollars in drug money off the streets.

"Our hopes for this operation is to send a message," he said. "If you write it, we will fill it again."

In addition to those charged with prescription drug offenses, officers picked up people on child sex crimes, meth and existing warrants. With 287 indictments, Sheriff Hitchcock says this is one of the largest round ups they've had in a long time.