(Photo provided by OBN)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. (KOKH) — The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics said on Saturday that 15 alleged members of a drug trafficking organization responsible for a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute large quantities of marijuana and for a conspiracy to commit money laundering in West Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas, and California have been charged in a two-count federal indictment.
Two of those alleged members are from Oklahoma.
The following defendants have been indicted for 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
According to the indictment, beginning at a time unknown but from at least on or about June 1, 2024, to Nov. 18, 2025, the defendants intentionally conspired with each other to unlawfully possess with the intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of marijuana.
Additionally, 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 Count 2 of the indictment.
During the course of the investigative operation named “Been Getting Bags,” and subsequent arrests on Wednesday, law enforcement officers seized approximately 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 in U.S. currency, approximately 50 firearms, 1 marijuana grow lab in Oklahoma, 1 marijuana grow lab in Memphis, and jewelry and luxury vehicles valued at over one million dollars. Additional federal charges related to these seizures are possible.
All 15 defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years in federal prison and fines of up to $10 million or both for the controlled substance conspiracy charge.
The penalty for money laundering conspiracy is not more than 20 years in federal prison, and fines of not more than $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is greater.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO); Memphis Police Department (MPD); and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). Also assisting in the operation were the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP). Collierville Police Department (CPD); Germantown Police Department (GPD); Jackson Tennessee Police Department (JPD) Gang Unit; United States Marshal Service (USMS); DEA offices in Oxford, Mississippi, Los Angeles, California, Galveston, Texas, and Dallas, Texas; Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics; Texas Department of Safety; and Desoto County, Mississippi S.W.A.T assisted with arrests, searches and other processes.
