Four people arrested, cocaine and $50,000 cash seized

Four men were arrested and charged with drug-related offenses on Wednesday. Nearly a kilogram of cocaine and more than $50,000 was seized following an investigation by the 5th Judicial Drug Task Force. The following individuals were charged: • Saul Eugenio Sanchez, 26, Avalon Drive, Louisville, charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (cocaine) with intent to resell; three counts of delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance (cocaine), and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held on bonds totaling $101,000. • Jose Luis Meza-Rosas, 28, Pleasant Ridge Road, Knoxville, charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (cocaine) with intent to resell. He is being held on a $25,000 bond. • Rudolfo Alarcon-Jinez, 19, Pleasant Ridge Road, Knoxville, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (cocaine) with intent to resell. He is being held on a $25,000 bond • Juan Hernandez, 28, Pleasant Ridge Road, Knoxville, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (cocaine) with intent to resell. He is being held on a $25,000 bond. All four individuals are scheduled for a hearing in Blount County General Sessions Court at 9 a.m. April 25. The arrests are the culmination of a five month long investigation initiated by the 5th Judicial Drug Task Force, according to Blount County Sheriff James L. Berrong. The investigation led to a search warrant at Sanchez’s residence Wednesday night, where FJDTF members, along with members of the DEA Task Force (Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, and Knoxville Airport Authority), found ¾ of a kilogram of cocaine, $50,050 cash, digital scales and other paraphernalia used to repackage cocaine. During the course of the investigation, a total of almost two kilograms of cocaine, with a street value between $52,700 to $74,400, was seized. “We are very excited about the outcome of this investigation because the disruption of this organized drug ring will have a big impact on helping to make Blount and surrounding counties become a drug-free communities,” Berrong said. The 5th Judicial Drug Task Force is comprised of officers and deputies from Alcoa and Maryville Police Departments and the Blount County Sheriff’s Office.