Two Polk County residents have been arrested in a recent Polk County Sheriff’s Office undercover operation called Operation Pill Sweep.
Dennis Martin, of 1182 John Shehan Road, Tryon was arrested and charged with selling/delivering a schedule IV controlled substance, according to sheriff’s office reports. Tracy Martin, of the same address, was also charged with selling/delivering a schedule IV controlled substance and maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for a controlled substance, according to sheriff’s office reports.
All charges are felonies.
Arrests for Operation Pill Sweep began in May following a nine-month undercover operation in which sheriff’s officers estimate they purchased approximately 2,000 illegal prescription pills.
The sheriff’s office originally had warrants for more than 20 individuals, mostly from within Polk County, as well as others from area counties. The sheriff’s office was assisted by the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), as well as the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Veterans Affairs Office in the undercover operation.
Most of the arrests over the past few months have been on charges related to illegal prescription pills, but some charges have involved other illegal substances, including cocaine, marijuana, opium and heroin.
In addition, some suspects have been charged with child abuse for illegal drug transactions being made in the presence of children.
Tracy Martin was released from jail on a written promise to appear. Dennis Martin received a $2,000 bond, according to police records.