04/06/2026
***PRESS RELEASE***
DRUG TASK FORCE SEIZES DRUGS, GUNS, SLOTS AND CASH AT MEMPHIS STORES
SHELBY COUNTY, TENN. – The West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force served two simultaneous search warrants yesterday at the Shell Food and Fuel located at 3524 Covington Pike and Yale To***co Discount located at 5125 Yale Road, both of the 38134 zip code, pursuant to an investigation.
Agents served a search warrant at Shell Road Food and Fuel after receiving complaints about slot machines and conducting an undercover investigation in which the store paid illegal winnings out of the cash register. Agents seized 3 slot machines along with $4,975.00 in illegal gambling proceeds.
Agents also served a search warrant at Yale To***co Discount after receiving complaints about drugs being sold out of the store and slot machines. After conducting an undercover investigation in which the store paid illegal winnings out of the cash register, Agents seized 5 slot machines, two ounces of the drug known as Khat, two fi****ms, drug paraphernalia and $2,255.00 in illegal gambling and drug proceeds.
Upon searching the stores, Agents developed further probable cause to apply for and receive a search warrant to search a home located in the 9000 block of Pepper Hollow Court in Cordova. There, Agents seized over a kilogram (Approximately 2.5 lbs.) of Khat, a money counter and $91,096.00 in illegal gambling and drug proceeds.
“We’ll shut down big drug trafficking operations wherever we can,” said D.A. Mulroy. “And we fought for years in court to get illegal gambling machines out of Shelby County - - we’re not backing down now.”
“Khat is an evergreen type shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula that is a stimulant similar to co***ne or methamphetamine. It is classified as a schedule I controlled substance in Tennessee making the possession of any amount, a felony. It is a rare drug that I’ve only encountered a half dozen times in my career and I commend our Agents and those assisting on a job well done for the citizens of Memphis and west Tennessee.”
- Johnie Carter, Director.
Agents are still investigating and arrests are expected soon. Agents were assisted in the investigation by the D.E.A. Memphis Office and the Tennessee Dangerous Drugs Task Force. The office of the 30th Judicial District Attorney of Steve Mulroy will be prosecuting these cases.
The West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force is a law enforcement agency that operates by agreement between the 28th, 29th and 30th District Attorneys General of Frederick Agee, Danny Goodman and Steve Mulroy. The V.C.I.F. Unit operates out of the 30th District and is made up of full time employees of the Drug Task Force. These Task Force Agents, are assigned to work fulltime in the nine most dangerous zip codes in Memphis under the Governor’s Violent Crime Initiative Fund grant (V.C.I.F.).
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Johnie Carter
Director
901-222-1480