Smith County man arrested in drug investigation

SMITH COUNTY – According to a press release from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025, the Special Investigations Unit, along with Tyler DPS Criminal Investigations Division, followed up on a lead received from the Lindale Police Department in reference to illegal narcotics being shipped to an address in Tyler.

Investigators were able to establish probable cause for a search warrant for the address of 409 Sutherland Dr. A probable cause affidavit was presented to the Honorable 114th State District Judge Reeve Jackson. After reviewing the affidavit, Judge Jackson issued a search warrant.

On Thursday, July 3, 2025, Law Enforcement personnel executed the search warrant at 409 Sutherland Dr. During the search of the residence, Investigators located two kilos of cocaine, five pounds of marijuana, dangerous prescription drugs, two loaded handguns, and a loaded rifle. Also located was over $15,000 in US currency, a currency counter, as well as scales and packaging material used for re-distribution.

As a result of this operation, Brandon Jamaal Walton, 34, was arrested and booked into the Smith County Jail for possession, with additional charges for Manufacture Delivery of a Controlled Substance. He is currently in the Smith County Jail on bonds totaling $1,153,500.

While conducting this search warrant several small children were located and living in this residence. Child Protective Services were notified due to the living conditions they were exposed to as a result of illegal and dangerous activity within the home.

Sheriff Larry Smith stated that the department will continue to maintain a zero-tolerance policy for those who manufacture and deliver dangerous drugs to the citizens of Smith County and beyond.

The Sheriff also said, “Dangerous drugs and opioids are killing our youth and destroying families in Smith County and across our Nation. The only way to effectively fight this epidemic is to shut down the distribution points and maintain aggressive enforcement. I also encourage parents to have conversations about the dangers of illegal drugs with their kids, early and often, and be active in their lives.”