Four men facing various charges after drug smuggling operation
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Four individuals are facing charges after authorities uncovered a drug smuggling operation conducted from inside the Hamilton County Jail.
Current inmate Cedrick Williams was suspected of organizing the operation.
HCSO says three others, Richard Williams, Andre Hughley, and Markell Ash, were also involved in the scheme.
Investigators believe the group used the jail’s phone system to coordinate how the drugs would be brought in.
Detectives and corrections deputies were able to identify the smuggling method and intercept the drugs before they reached inmates.
On Friday, June 20, 2025 corrections deputies recovered methamphetamine, synthetic cannabinoids, and two cell phones from Hughley after he turned himself in to serve a 48-hour sentence for Driving Under the Influence.
Deputies also searched Cedrick Williams’s jail cell and located synthetic cannabinoids.
On June 24, authorities arrested Ash who was allegedly in possession of suspected synthetic cannabinoids, fentanyl, and drug paraphernalia.
Below are the charges these individuals face:
Cedrick Williams:
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Facility
- Possession of Drugs for Resale
Markell Ash:
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Facility
- Manufacturing Methamphetamine
- Possession of Synthetic Cannabinoids
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Schedule 2 Drug Violation
Richard Williams:
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Facility
Andre Hughley:
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Facility
- Possession of Methamphetamine
- Possession of Synthetic Cannabinoids
