15 people accused of being members of a drug trafficking organization were apprehended and indicted on charges related to the distribution of large quantities of marijuana and conspiracy to commit money laundering in several states, including Oklahoma.
On Wednesday, 14 of the suspects were apprehended, while the final suspect remained at large.
In West Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas, and California, the suspects were charged in a two-count federal indictment with conspiracy to possess substantial amounts of marijuana with the intent to distribute it and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Law enforcement identified two of the arrested individuals as being from Oklahoma.
Each of the suspects listed below has been charged with possessing more than 1,000 kg of marijuana with the intent to distribute:
- Myron Armstrong, aka “BG” – Memphis, Tennessee
- Chad Hendricks – Milburn, Oklahoma
- Ping Huang, aka “Jason” – People’s Republic of China
- Carlos Atkins, aka “Papa Smurf” or “Lo” – Memphis, Tennessee
- Kevin Brandon, aka “Bam” – Millington, Tennessee
- Ricio Conner – Jackson, Tennessee
- Willie Love, aka “June Bug” – Memphis, Tennessee
- Prenston Moore, aka “Twin” – Memphis, Tennessee
- Thomas Smith, aka “TC” – Memphis, Tennessee
- Cris Thetford – Durant, Oklahoma
- Raevyn Tuggle – Memphis, Tennessee
- Terrance Wash, aka “Car Wash” or “Rick Ross” – Memphis, Tennessee
- Anthony Williams, aka “Ant” – Allen, Texas
Myron Armstrong, Chad Hendricks, Ping Huang, Carlos Atkins, Brandon Burkett, Thomas Smith, Raevyn Tuggle, and Anthony Williams were charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering in the indictment’s second count.
According to the indictment, law enforcement believes the defendants criminally conspired to possess and distribute marijuana beginning at least on June 1, 2024, and continuing until November 18, 2025.
During the investigation into the suspects, law enforcement said they seized approximately 207 pounds of marijuana, two ounces of crack cocaine, approximately 1,850 cultivated marijuana plants in Oklahoma and Tennessee, two kilo presses, approximately $550,000 in US currency, approximately 50 firearms, a marijuana grow lab in Oklahoma, and a marijuana grow lab in Tennessee, as well as jewelry and luxury vehicles valued at more than $1 million.
Authorities said the defendants may face additional federal charges in connection with the seized products.
“This investigation, which originated from a narcotics complaint in the Western District of Tennessee, ultimately uncovered a large, multi-state marijuana cultivation and trafficking network with tentacles reaching into communities across our country,” said Jim Scott, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Louisville Field Division. “The quantity of drugs seized is significant and the firepower we recovered highlight a simple truth: drug trafficking organizations are violent by design, regardless of the drug involved. The DEA and our law enforcement partners are committed to following every lead, wherever it may take us, to shut down any criminal enterprise that threatens public safety, and we won’t rest until all those involved are brought to justice.”
If convicted of the controlled substance conspiracy charge, all fifteen defendants could face a minimum of 10 years in prison and/or fines of up to $10 million.
If convicted of money laundering, those charged face up to 20 years in federal prison and fines of up to $500,000 or double the value of the property involved, whichever is larger.
At this point, the defendants have just been charged, not convicted of any crime.