ROCKWOOD, Tenn. (WATE) — What started as a car crash in Rockwood, Tennessee, back in 2019 has led to a federal investigation into a major Mexican drug operation. While the federal case is ongoing, the Justice Department unsealed indictments connected to the investigation on Thursday.

For the first time in six years, Rockwood Police Chief Kelly Pittman talked to 6 News about how a routine response led to something much larger.

“I mean, you don't expect it, but it happens,” he said.

In December 2019, the Rockwood Police Department responded to a three-car crash on North Gateway Avenue.

“The guys from Georgia that we arrested were coming from that direction, headed north,” said Pittman as he walked through the crash site. “They got into the center line here and struck the southbound vehic

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