15 Alleged Members of Drug Trafficking Organization Indicted

Memphis, TN - Fifteen 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 2-count federal indictment. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the unsealed indictment today.

On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 14 of the defendants were taken into custody by federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. One remains a fugitive.

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 November 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 December 3, 2025, 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 fifteen 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.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Criminal enterprises that distribute harmful drugs into West Tennessee can no longer hide. 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."

"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, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration'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."

"Cases like this highlight the value of partnerships", said Special Agent in Charge Donald "Trey" Eakins, Charlotte Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation. "IRS-CI plays a crucial role in combating financial crimes while collaborating with financial institutions and federal agency partners within the Homeland Security Task Force, particularly those focused on money laundering, drugs, and transnational crime. IRS-CI special agents are skilled financial investigators who can unravel complex financial transactions and money laundering schemes where criminals try to hide illicit activities. We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of crimes by following the money and protecting our community by disrupting drug trafficking organizations."

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.

Assistant United States Attorney Greg Allen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.

The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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