36 arrested in west TN drug investigation

JACKSON, Tenn. - At least 36 people have been arrested in Obion and Weakley counties as part of a combined federal, state and local investigation into drug trafficking and gang activity.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee, federal indictments were unsealed Tuesday charging 18 people with crimes that include drug trafficking, illegal firearms possession and counterfeiting. An additional 23 people were indicted on state charges.

The Jackson Sun reported (http://bit.ly/Qg1UfL) that teams of officers began serving arrest and search warrants beginning at about 6 a.m. on Tuesday.

Martin police told the paper the investigation began because of an increasing number of drug- and gang-related crimes in the area.

On Tuesday evening, Martin police said they were still looking 31-year-old James Courtney Shane and 24-year-old Ricky Booker.

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