UNICOI - A joint investigation involving several law enforcement agencies led to the Wednesday arrest of a Unicoi man who allegedly has distributed several pounds of marijuana.
Charles A. McLaughlin, 42, 125 Virgie Hicks Road, Unicoi, was charged with possession of a schedule VI drug for resale, possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a dwelling where narcotics are kept or sold.
According to a release from Mike Adams with the Johnson City Police Department and director of the 1st Judicial District Drug Task Force, the Drug Task Force conducted a joint operation with the Unicoi County Sheriff's Department, Johnson City Police, The Drug Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Postal Inspector that resulted in McLaughlin's Wednesday arrest.
The release states McLaughlin was the target of of a marijuana distributing organization in which agents believe McLaughlin had distributed and sold numerous pounds of marijuana delivered to him through the U.S. Postal Service from California.
A search warrant on McLaughlin's home was executed at around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, and he was found to be in possession of more than eight pounds of high-grade marijuana, according to the release. The release state the estimated street value of the marijuana found is more than $4,000.
McLaughlin was arraigned Thursday in Unicoi County General Sessions Court. He was given a $25,000 corporate bond and is scheduled to again appear in Sessions Court on July 18.