NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Officers with the Metro Nashville Police Department have uncovered a heroin pipeline stretching from Nashville all the way to Mexico.
Over the past several weeks, undercover officers with the Metro Narcotics Unit reportedly purchased large amounts of heroin from a suspect, identified as 38-year-old Leah Wallace, who was living in an apartment on Old Hickory Blvd.
Police said she and 43-year-old Edward McBride sold 16 grams of heroin to an undercover officer in a parking lot on Lebanon Pike.
Throughout the investigation, they learned of Wallace’s alleged suppliers and moved in this week to make arrests. NewsChannel 5 has learned they raided her apartment and confiscated drugs, scales and cash.
Wallace and McBride were charged with multiple counts of possessing heroin for resale.
Authorities also arrested 27-year-old Jose Manuel and charged him with three counts of felony heroin crimes. Manuel was identified as the heroin conduit for the Mexican distribution ring with which he was affiliated.
Investigators said they’ve also identified Wallace's possible supplier out of Mexico. It's very likely now Metro will work with federal and Mexican authorities on that part of the investigation.
According to drug agents, Mexican heroin has become cheaper and more powerful at a time when Americans hooked on pharmaceutical opiates are looking for a more affordable alternative.
It's potent, low cost and becoming more available.
No additional details were known.
