MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Fifteen people were indicted as part of a drug trafficking organization through West Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas and California, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, Mike Dunavant.
“This should send a message. Whether you are a first-time offender or a repeat offender, there is a consequence, a significant consequence for criminal behavior, and we will impose it aggressively and unapologetically,” said Dunavant.
Fourteen are in custody as of Friday afternoon; all are indicted on conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.
- Myron Armstrong, aka “BG”, 49 – Memphis, Tennessee
- Chad Hendricks, 34 – Milburn, Oklahoma
- Ping Huang, aka “Jason”, 44 – People’s Republic of China
- Carlos Atkins, aka “Papa Smurf”, aka “Lo”, 52 – Memphis, Tennessee
- Kevin Brandon, aka “Bam”, 40 – Millington, Tennessee
- Brandon Burkett, 41 – Magnolia, Texas
- Ricio Conner, 50 – Jackson, Tennessee
- Willie Love, aka “June Bug”, 51 – Memphis, Tennessee
- Prenston Moore, aka “Twin”, 44 – Memphis, Tennessee
- Thomas Smith, aka “TC”, 47 – Memphis, Tennessee
- Cris Thetford, 44 – Durant, Oklahoma
- Raevyn Tuggle, 28 – Memphis, Tennessee
- Terrance Wash, aka “Car Wash”, aka “Rick Ross”, 45 – Memphis, Tennessee
- Anthony Williams, aka “Ant”, 41 – Allen, Texas
Myron Armstrong, Chad Hendricks, Ping Huang, Carlos Atkins, Brandon Burkett, Thomas Smith, Raevyn Tuggle, and Anthony Williams are also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Prosecutors say the group conspired with each other to distribute the drugs between June 2024 and November 2025.
“Over the past 90 days, our investigation identified criminal associates in California, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, New York and Mississippi,” said Jim Scott, DEA special agent in charge of the Louisville Field.
Law enforcement says during the investigation, nicknamed Operation “Been Getting Bags,” they seized:
- 207 pounds of marijuana
- 2 ounces of crack cocaine
- approximately 1,850 cultivated marijuana plants in Oklahoma and Tennessee
- 2 kilo presses
- approximately $550,000
- approximately 50 firearms
- 1 marijuana grow lab in Oklahoma
- 1 marijuana grow lab in Memphis
- jewelry and luxury vehicles valued at over one million dollars
“The firepower that we recovered really highlights a simple truth: drug trafficking organizations are violent by nature. Regardless of the drug that they are pushing,” said Scott.
All 15 face a minimum of 10 years in federal prison, and another 20 for the money laundering conspiracy charge.
“Criminal enterprises that distribute harmful drugs into West Tennessee can no longer hide,” Dunavant said. “We are taking the fight to the drug trafficking organizations to dismantle their distribution networks, enforce the rule of law, and remove them from our streets. I commend the outstanding investigative efforts led by DEA and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in this important and impactful case.”
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