Paris, Tenn.–As a result of a long term investigation of a drug trafficking operation, law enforcement agencies based in Henry County made a seizure of numerous drugs, money, and vehicles.
Agencies involved in the investigation are the 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force, Henry
County Sheriffs Office, Paris Police Dept, Metro Crime Unit, FBI, and TBI.
The operation yielded the arrest of James Lee Payne II of Mill Creek Rd.
Henry County Sheriff Josh Frey said the case remains under investigation and agencies are expecting to charge additional individuals in the trafficking operation. This investigation targeted a large scale drug operation where drugs were being transported from East Tennessee where they were delivered, stored, and distributed in Henry County.
Officers seized 10 pounds of meth (ice), one pound of Fentanyl, a Remington shotgun and approximately $10,000 in cash. At a local storage unit associated with Payne, officers seized two pounds of meth, five pounds of marijuana. Other items seized during the search warrants included more meth, LSD, another pound of marijuana and $5,700 in cash.
Law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant on April 3 at 1210 Mill Creek Rd in Henry
County, as a result of the investigation.
During the execution of the search warrant of the Henry County address, through a coordinated effort, law enforcement agencies apprehended Payne at a storage unit in East Tennessee.
Payne was taken into custody along with another individual who is not a resident of the Mill Creek address.
Along with the search of the Henry County residence, a storage unit in Henry County was also
searched to which Payne was connected to. Inside the Henry County storage unit, officers
located two pounds of Methamphetamine and 5 1/2 pounds of Marijuana. The search of the 1210
Mill Creek Rd address of Payne yielded another several ounces of Methamphetamine, LSD, a
pound of Marijuana, and $5700 in cash.
Officers believe that the 10 pounds of Meth and the Fentanyl seized in East TN was destined
for Henry County, where Payne resides.
Five vehicles were seized during the operation.
The agencies involved in the investigation are the 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force, Henry
County Sheriffs Office, Paris Police Dept, Metro Crime Unit, FBI, and TBI.