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In a Sevier County operation to round up suspects in drug crimes, three Blount County men were arrested Friday on marijuana-related charges.

Jason Lee Hensley, 24, Big Springs Road, Maryville, was charged with possession of a Schedule VI substance (marijuana) with intent to sell or deliver. Derrick Matthew Hayes, 19, Winston Drive, Seymour, and Robert Adam Pressley, 21, Hinkle Road, Seymour, were each charged with delivery of a Schedule VI substance (marijuana).

Hensley was free on a $5,000 bond and Hayes and Pressley were each free on $2,500 bonds. Hayes and Pressley are required to appear at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Blount County General Sessions Court, and Hensley is to appear at 9 a.m. Friday.

According to Capt. Randy Preston, of the Sevier County Sheriff's Department, 39 people were indicted on drug-related charges and all but two of the indictments were served in Sevier County on Friday during "Operation Northwest."

"We started the roundup at 5 a.m. and finished at about 2 or 3 p.m.," Parton said.

During the operation, Sevier County narcotics agents received information that marijuana was being sold and delivered in an area of Seymour.

"We had confidential informants that were giving us information and helping in the arrests of those dealing marijuana," Parton said.

The buys were made in the Hinkle Road area, which is in Blount County and very to Sevier County. After making the three separate drug purchases and catching the alleged dealers, undercover agents discovered they were in the Blount County instead of Sevier County and asked for the assistance of the Blount County Sheriff's Office and the 5th Judicial Drug Task Force.

Members of the task force assisted Sevier County narcotics officers and made the arrests on Hensley, Pressley and Hayes. The three men were charged in Blount County and Parton said Sevier County officers will testify against the men.

"We appreciate Sheriff (James) Berrong and the task force for assisting us in the operation," Parton said.

The U.S. Marshal's Service, Drug Enforcement Agency, Sevierville Police Department and Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force also assisted in Operation Northwest.