Brown County Narcotics Operation busts 35, Police seeking more suspects

Brownwood News – In January of 2016, Brown County narcotics investigators began a widespread operation focusing on the distribution of illegal drugs in Brown County. During the early morning hours of August 24, 2017, Operation “METHodical” was initiated. More than 80 law enforcement officers and staff from supporting agencies began serving arrest warrants on fifty-seven (57) different defendants in Brown County.

As officers were serving the arrest warrants, additional charges have also been discovered.

All of the defendants in this operation were actively involved in the distribution of illegal narcotics in Brown County and the Brownwood community. Ten of these defendants are currently on probation for previous offenses and several were also on Parole from previous convictions.

“I want to stress, these are not your end-users that are being targeted today,” Brownwood Police Chief Terry Nichols said during a press conference held at 11 a.m. at the Law Enforcement Center. “These are the people that are actually selling narcotics in our community. These are the ones that are putting illegal drugs in our kids’ hands, in our neighbors’ hands. These are distributors, and some of them had direct ties to Mexican cartels across the border.”

Operation METHodical was a combined effort of the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Brownwood Police Department and Early Police Department as they merged resources to more comprehensively combat methamphetamine trafficking in Brownwood and Brown County.

Brown County Sheriff Vance Hill and Brownwood Police Chief Terry Nichols

“This has absolutely been a team effort,” said Chief Nichols.

“This is a result of what can happen when we put our resources together,” said Brown County Sheriff Vance Hill, explaining the tri-departmenal collaboration was key for the operation’s success. The sheriff also announced the three local law enforcement agencies are in the process of forming a joint narcotics team to continue investigating in Brown County.

“I’d like to encourage the citizens of this county, if you see what you suspect is drug activity going on, and you call your local authorities and you feel like we’re not doing anything – we actually are. Sometimes it might take several months to put a case together on that house or that individual. Please continue to call us with any suspicious activity that you see going on in your neighborhood. We will respond to it,” the sheriff said.

“The community plays a direct role in identifying individuals who are selling drugs in our community,” Chief Nichols agreed.

Early Police Chief David Mercer

Early Police Chief David Mercer also encouraged citizens to continue aiding law enforcement by identifying possible narcotics activity.

“When people call in these tips, they need to understand that drug work takes a long time. We can’t come in the next day and kick a door. We have to develop a case, and find a way to get into there legally,” Chief Mercer explained. “When you call in a tip, be patient, it will be worked by our agencies.”

During the operation, investigators both purchased and seized quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, marihuana, and various prescription drugs including Ocycodone, Hyrocodone, Alprazolam, Clonazepam and Carisoprodol. The offenders in this investigation ranged from local distributors to those that have direct ties to Mexican drug cartels. During the course of the investigation, investigators uncovered the organizational structure of multiple illegal drug distribution networks in Brown County.

“We are making a statement here in Brownwood and Brown County that this is unacceptable,” Chief Nichols stated. “The illegal drug trade in this county will take a hit. It’s taken a hit today.”

Brownwood Police Chief Nichols told members of the press during the conference that seven law enforcement teams were currently out seeking suspects at large, and felt confident the individuals would be arrested in a timely manner.

“The best thing they can do is just turn themselves in,” the chief said.

These individuals are currently at large: