MPD arrests 12 in raid targeting Memphis gang, guns and drugs seized

The Memphis Police Department made 12 arrests following an operation in South Memphis, just outside of downtown Memphis, in an operation dubbed “All Off Boyd.”

Most of those arrested, Acting MPD Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis said at a news conference Tuesday morning, had some affiliation with All Off The Blade, a local gang sometimes called “AOB.” Others arrested were “involved in some level of criminal activity” but were not confirmed to be gang members, Davis said.

Operation All Off Boyd was a “more targeted version” of MPD’s Code Zero operations, which focused on the area of ​​Tate Avenue and Boyd Street.

“This is a neighborhood where many members of the community have suffered for many years, been held hostage in their homes for fear of gun violence and some have been victims of various crimes themselves,” Davis said. “Across the city of Memphis, we have seen an increase in gun violence committed by some of these gang-affiliated individuals, and have made Tate Ave. and Boyd Street a hub for gathering, planning and “execution of criminal activities.”

Davis said many of those arrested had active arrest warrants or were suspected of “multiple crimes over a period of months.”

The arrests took place on June 7 and Davis said it was a collaboration between MPD’s organized crime unit, gang unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Shelby County Prosecutor’s Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Code Enforcement and others. sworn law enforcement officers.

“Each entity played a critical role in ensuring the safe execution of three separate search warrants and the safe surveillance of approximately 50 potentially armed individuals occupying the interior and exterior premises of three targeted locations,” Davis said . “Every day, these individuals – and others in crowds of 20 to 40 people – completely take over the Tate and Boyd neighborhood, brandishing powerful weapons, engaging in illegal drug activity and creating an environment of chaos and fear.”

Davis said MPD has responded to 340 calls in that area over the past three years, including shooting calls.

Of the 12 people arrested, 11 were charged with various offenses and one person was charged with minor offenses.

Davis said 13 handguns were seized, two of which she said were stolen. Two long guns were also seized. Some guns, she said, were equipped with Glock switches, which turn handguns into fully automatic weapons.

More: ‘Arms race’: Memphis officials want tougher penalties for Glock switches

Investigators also confiscated 3.7 pounds of marijuana, 12.4 grams of methamphetamines, 429 ecstasy pills and $4,291. Two cars were also seized.

Outside the press conference were a number of handguns, as well as some of the confiscated drugs. Davis said some were not exposed because they were being tested to see if they had been used in other crimes.

“Our main goal in this operation was to take back the streets that belong to the good neighbors of Memphis, who want and deserve nothing more than to live peacefully in their homes, without illegal and dangerous weapons, without drugs, without scourges and without harmful properties,” she says. “We are just getting started at the Memphis Police Department. The men and women of our department are motivated, dedicated and energetic to conduct more of these types of operations. Although we continue to make significant progress in reducing overall crime, there is still much work to be done.

Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at [email protected] or (901)208-3922, and followed on X, formerly known as Twitter, @LucasFinton.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Police Arrest 12 in Operation Targeting Gang