MORRISTOWN, Tenn.—On Tuesday January 17, 2012 officers of the Morristown Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Unit along with a Drug Enforcement Agency (D.E.A.) Task Force conducted a “buy-bust” operation in the parking lot of the BP Gas station at 7293 St. Clair Highway some 9 miles from the city of Morristown in Hamblen County.
During the “buy-bust” operation, four men were taken into custody: Esgar Escamella Estrella A.K.A. “Sonora”, age 27 of Bulls Gap, Isidoro Garcia A.K.A. “Shorty”, age 31 of Morristown, Martin Flores Peres, age 28 of Morristown and George Olquin Vasquez, age 27 of Morristown. The four men were found to be in possession of two ounces of powder cocaine, a Hi-Point 9mm semi-automatic handgun and a significant amount of cash. Investigators also seized a vehicle in the process.
Subsequent to these arrests, investigators obtained two search warrants. One search warrant was for a residence located at 2203 Reese Street in Morristown which was executed by the Morristown Police Department’s Special Response Team. The other search warrant was for a residence located at 195 Whitaker Road in Bulls Gap. This search warrant was executed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (A.T.F.), the Third Judicial District Drug Task Force, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) and the Hawkins Sheriff’s Office. An additional amount of powder cocaine was found at the Bulls Gap residence.
The four men are being held in the Hamblen County Jail on charges of Manufacture and Delivery of Schedule II Narcotics and Unlawful Carry or Possession of a Weapon. They are being held without bond pending their arraignment and due the uncertainty of their U.S. citizenship I.C.E. has placed a detainer on them as well. Due to a firearm being present during the commission of the crime, the offenses are under consideration for prosecution by the United States District Attorney of the Eastern District.
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