Memphis, Tennessee – Federal authorities have announced the arrest and indictment of 15 individuals accused of operating a large, multi-state drug trafficking network responsible for distributing massive quantities of marijuana and laundering money across several regions, including Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, and California. Officials confirmed that 14 suspects were taken into custody Wednesday, while one remains a fugitive.
The sweeping indictment outlines a coordinated trafficking operation that investigators say moved thousands of pounds of marijuana, cultivated illegal grow sites, laundered large sums of cash, and possessed dozens of weapons. Law enforcement agencies across multiple states cooperated throughout the investigation, which began mid-2024 and continued into late 2025.
Overview of the Federal Indictment
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, all 15 suspects face charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, a federal offense that carries severe penalties. A second charge—conspiracy to commit money laundering—was filed against eight of the defendants.
Officials say the drug trafficking organization was active from June 1, 2024, through November 18, 2025, operating grow houses, distribution networks, and cash-movement channels in West Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas, and California.
Who Was Charged
Each suspect listed below has been indicted in connection with possessing and distributing large quantities of marijuana:
- Myron Armstrong (“BG”) – Memphis, TN
- Chad Hendricks – Milburn, OK
- Ping Huang (“Jason”) – People’s Republic of China
- Carlos Atkins (“Papa Smurf” / “Lo”) – Memphis, TN
- Kevin Brandon (“Bam”) – Millington, TN
- Ricio Conner – Jackson, TN
- Willie Love (“June Bug”) – Memphis, TN
- Prenston Moore (“Twin”) – Memphis, TN
- Thomas Smith (“TC”) – Memphis, TN
- Cris Thetford – Durant, OK
- Raevyn Tuggle – Memphis, TN
- Terrance Wash (“Car Wash” / “Rick Ross”) – Memphis, TN
- Anthony Williams (“Ant”) – Allen, TX
Eight of the defendants — Armstrong, Hendricks, Huang, Atkins, Brandon Burkett, Smith, Tuggle, and Williams — also face federal money-laundering conspiracy charges.
What Investigators Found
Authorities say the investigation uncovered a large amount of illegal drugs, cash, weapons, and materials linked to the trafficking operation. Items seized include:
- 207 pounds of processed marijuana
- Two ounces of crack cocaine
- Approximately 1,850 marijuana plants in Oklahoma and Tennessee
- Two kilo presses
- Around $550,000 in cash
- Nearly 50 firearms
- Two marijuana grow labs (one in Oklahoma, one in Tennessee)
- Luxury vehicles and jewelry valued at over $1 million
Investigators describe the organization as highly coordinated, with structured roles for cultivation, transportation, distribution, and financial concealment of drug proceeds.
Potential Penalties if Convicted
The controlled substance conspiracy charge carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in federal prison and fines of up to $10 million for each defendant.
For those also charged with money laundering, convictions could bring up to 20 years in prison and fines reaching $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is greater.
Case Status and Next Steps
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Their initial court appearances and detention hearings are expected to take place in the coming days as prosecutors continue building the federal case.
Why This Case Matters
Federal authorities emphasized that this operation highlights the continued challenges of multi-state drug networks that use grow sites, interstate shipping routes, and money-laundering channels to conceal illegal activity. The scale of the seizures — including hundreds of pounds of marijuana and large grow sites — underscores the scope of the alleged criminal enterprise.
Residents in affected communities are urged to remain aware of signs of illegal drug activity and report suspicious behavior to local or federal agencies.
If you live in Tennessee, Oklahoma, or Texas and have seen similar drug-related activity in your area, share your experiences in the comments below.
