Narcotics Division

Goals and Objectives

• To focus the investigative resources of the division against persons and organizations believed to be trafficking in illegal narcotics.
• To enhance narcotics enforcement in the Rhea County area through working partnerships with citizens, law enforcement and other community organizations.
• To assist this agency and other law enforcement organizations with technical support including surveillance, electronic monitoring and other covert type investigative techniques.
• Provide public information to citizens and organization in our community regarding illegal narcotics and narcotics enforcement.
• To provide these services with professionalism, courtesy and respect to others.

Sheriff Mike Neal is a major supporter of the Southeast Methamphetamine Drug Task Force as well as the East Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force and Tennessee State Methamphetamine Task Force. He sits serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the East Tennessee and Tennessee State methamphetamine Task Forces. Sheriff Mike Neal believes that the eradication of illicit and abused prescription drugs is a primary concern for his department and the overall safety for all citizens of Rhea County.

Prescription Drug Fraud

Prescription drug fraud is on the rise across the nation and Rhea County is no exception. The Rhea County Sheriff’s Department partners with all local pharmacies in an effort to spot fraudulent prescriptions as well as persons who abuse the health care system by receiving prescriptions for the same drugs from more than one physician. If a local pharmacist or pharmacy worker suspects a fraudulent case, the Rhea County Sheriff’s Department is notified for an investigation. The Rhea County Sheriff’s Department also regularly receives lists of individuals who have purchased components that could potentially be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Top Abused & Diverted Prescription Drugs

• Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet.)
• Alprazolam (Xanex)
• Carisoprodol (Soma)
• Propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
• Hydromorphine (Mepergan, Demerol)
• Acetaminophen with Codeine (Tylenol #3, Tylenol#4)
• Oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan, Tylox)

24hr Drug Tip Hotline: (423)775-7837

Should a citizen believe they have valuable information that could aid in the eradication of illicit drugs or abused prescription drugs from our community, they are encouraged to contact the 24-hour tip hotline at the Rhea County Sheriff’s Department. Citizens may also email the information to a detective within the Rhea County Sheriff’s Department. Contact information is provided on the contacts link on the home page of this website.

Demonstrations and Classroom Education

Detective Mike Bice is a regular contributor to drug educational programs within Rhea County Schools. Detective Bice provides current information regarding drug abuse, arrests and resistance information to students in the Rhea County High School.

The Rhea County Sheriff’s Department D.A.R.E. program works with individuals in the Rhea County Elementary Schools System Teaching Drug Abuse Resistance Education. Please see the link for School Resource Officers for further information regarding D.A.R.E.

Marijuana Eradication

The Rhea County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Division works tirelessly in an effort to remove marijuana from our community. Officers use search warrants; traffic stops and foot patrol in fields and woods in an effort to locate growing as well as processed marijuana and remove it. Officers aggressively enforce drug laws in an effort to promote safety for all citizens.