Leading to 61 arrests in West Tennessee, with more arrests anticipated
District Attorney General, Jody Pickens, announced alongside members of the 26th Judicial District Drug Task Force, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement leaders that 61 arrests have been made during Operation TriStar Hammer, a joint effort to keep illegal drugs off our local streets and protect families living in West Tennessee.
On March 30, 2026, grand juries in Chester, Henderson and Madison Counties returned 141 separate indictments against approximately 75 people. On April 2, 2026, more than 130 special agents, investigators, troopers, patrolmen and deputies fanned out across West Tennessee to serve warrants. As of this date, 53 individuals have had grand jury warrants served on them.
“To the law-abiding citizens, law enforcement recognizes the scourge that is drug dealing, particularly methamphetamine and fentanyl, and we are working in a collaborative fashion, across jurisdictional lines to combat it,” said District Attorney General, Jody Pickens at a joint press conference. “Drug dealers do not recognize county lines and neither will we in pursuit of holding them accountable. This is the end of the beginning, not the end. This operation will continue and you can expect to see other action in the coming weeks and months.”
Three others who were encountered during this operation were found to have active warrants. One individual was charged with new drug offenses. Additionally, four federal indictments were also served. Overall, 61 individuals have been arrested so far as a result of Operation TriStar Hammer. Eight arrests have been made in Chester County in connection with Operation Tri-Star Hammer, including Angel Rodriquez, Christy Tinin, Danny Tinin, Johnathon Kelley, Ginger Meeker, Wesley Parker, Justin Surratt and Patra Welch.
“If you are a person involved in the sale and delivery of controlled substances, change your ways. Stop destroying families, stop destroying lives, and stop destroying your community,” added Gen. Pickens. “Remember, you have to be lucky everyday. Law enforcement only has to be lucky once. The amount of time in prison you face is not worth it to you, or those who love you.”
The participating agencies in Operation TriStar Hammer include:
Jackson Police Department
Lexington Police Department
Henderson Police Department
Scotts Hill Police Department
Medina Police Department
Huntingdon Police Department
Madison County Sheriff’s Department
Henderson County Sheriff’s Department
Chester County Sheriff’s Department
McNairy County Sheriff’s Department
Decatur County Sheriff’s Department
Tennessee Highway Patrol
Federal Drug Enforcement Administration
Federal Department of Homeland Security
25th Judicial District Drug Task Force (Tipton, Lauderdale, Fayette)
26th Judicial District Drug Task Force
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
“I am very appreciative of all of our law enforcement partners,” said Gen. Pickens. “We have not yet apprehended all that were indicted. To those folks, consider turning yourself in.”
The 26th Judicial District of Tennessee consists of Chester, Henderson and Madison Counties.
