Hamilton County man arrested with over $800,000 worth of narcotics
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County deputies arrested a man with over $870,000 worth of illegal narcotics and 12 firearms.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office said they arrested 26-year-old Joshua Aaron Mills on Thursday, July 6.
Joshua Mills (Courtesy: HCSO)
HCSO deputies served a search warrant at 9740 West Ridge Trail Road in Soddy Daisy. Mills was at the residence and he attempted to run away on foot, but deputies said they caught him after a short chase.
The sheriff’s office said they found over eight pounds of fentanyl, two pounds of marijuana, 18 marijuana plants and drug paraphernalia at the residence. HCSO explained that “the street value of the narcotics is approximately $870,250.”
Additionally, they seized 12 firearms and confirmed three to be stolen. Mills is also a convicted felon, meaning he is not legally allowed to have a firearm, HCSO said.
Officers also seized a 2010 Audi S5 and more than $10,000 in cash.
Mills faces the following charges:
- Drugs for resale – 4 counts
- Felony possession of drug paraphernalia
- Possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony
- Unlawful possession of a weapon
- Theft of property – 3 counts
- Tampering with or fabricating evidence
- Evading arrest
- Resisting stop, halt, frisk or arrest
He also faces the following charge from an outstanding warrant:
- Introduction of contraband into a penal institution.
The sheriff’s office may add more charges after further investigation. Additionally, the state has filed charges and HCSO will discuss the case with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. There may be federal prosecution, according to the sheriff’s office.
“In 2022, our nation saw the highest record of drug related deaths with over 109,000 people. Here locally, we saw 1,280 overdoes which included 148 deaths across our county. Each day, your sheriff’s office, is committed to eradicating dangerous drugs like methamphetamine and Fentanyl from our streets which is indiscriminately killing our citizens. I want this drug seizure to be a clear message from me to those who sell this poison in our community -The next knock on your door may not be your customer, it very well could be my Narcotics Detectives or SWAT Team serving a warrant for your arrest,” stated Sheriff Austin Garrett.
