PRESS RELEASE: CUMBERLAND COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

On Thursday June 16, 2016, deputies with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Task Force Agents with the TBI HIDTA Middle Tennessee Drug Task Force, the 13th Judicial District Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, Crossville Police Department and the Governor’s Counter Drug Task Force seized a large sophisticated marijuana grow with approximately 114 plants at a residence located at 1279 Bear Creek Road in Cumberland County.

The seizure stemmed from an ongoing investigation involving several counties within the 13th Judicial District where other similar marijuana grows operations were seized. Javiel Otano age 32 had been the target of a lengthy narcotics investigation where high-grade marijuana was being cultivated at the home.

During a search of the residence Sheriff’s Office Investigators discovered approximately 114 marijuana plants growing in a metal outbuilding behind the residence. The metal outbuilding had been converted into two sophisticated marijuana grow rooms with elaborate water filtration and climate control systems. Investigators discovered that Javiel had been stealing electricity for some time to power the grow operation.  The street value of the high-grade marijuana seized is approximately $513,000.  Otano was a member of a drug trafficking organization which produced and trafficked high-grade marijuana covertly not only locally, but also into other states.  Javiel Otano is facing charges of Manufacture, Sell and Delivery of a Controlled Substance as well as theft.

“The dismantling of this drug trafficking organization is a result of the collaboration and efforts of local and state law enforcement. This drug trafficking organization was producing a high-grade marijuana that was able to be supplied to the children of our community, as well as making large amounts of money at the expense of taxpaying citizens.”     

Casey Cox, Sheriff

Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office

(931) 484-6176