Memphis, TN – Authorities carried out a targeted enforcement action this week that resulted in the arrest of eight individuals tied to ongoing drug activity in a neighbourhood long known for persistent criminal issues. According to details shared through a recent WREG Memphis report, officers executed multiple search warrants as part of Operation All of Boyd Round TWO, a coordinated initiative aimed at disrupting drug and gang-related networks.
The arrests were concentrated around Boyd Street near Vance Avenue, an area repeatedly highlighted by law enforcement for entrenched narcotics activity and repeat offenders. Officials say the latest sweep represents a continued effort to stabilise this corridor by identifying high-risk individuals and removing firearms and drugs from circulation.
Arrest Details and Charges in the Boyd Street Operation
Authorities confirmed that eight people were taken into custody on a range of drug, theft, and firearms-related charges. Among those arrested:
- Larry Lindsey, 38 – Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Manufacture/Deliver/Sell (Marijuana); Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (three counts)
- Devandrick Bowie, 37 – Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Manufacture/Deliver/Sell (Marijuana); Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- L.C. Love, 46 – Multiple offences including drug possession, being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, and possessing a firearm during a dangerous felony
- Eric Crawford, 52 – Drug-related charges and evading arrest
- Keosha Griggs, 32 – Wanted for Identity Theft
- Donald McCoy, 41 – Wanted for Theft of Property ($1,000–$2,500)
- Kelvin Davis, 51 – Wanted for Vandalism ($1,000 or less)
- Coral Price, 51 – Received a misdemeanour citation for marijuana possession
Investigators stated that the warrants executed in this operation were the result of weeks of intelligence-gathering and neighbourhood surveillance. Boyd Street, the focal point of the operation, remains one of the Memphis Police Department’s priority zones due to recurring criminal activity.
What Officials Are Saying About the Operation
Police leadership emphasised that the sweep reflects a sustained push to remove major contributors to neighbourhood violence.
Chief CJ Davis said:
“Operations like this show our commitment to pushing back against the drivers of violent crime in our neighborhoods. When we remove drugs, guns, and repeat offenders from our streets, we are taking meaningful steps toward a Stronger, Safer Memphis.”
Her remarks underline the MPD’s strategy of combining targeted enforcement with multi-agency coordination to reduce violent crime.
Ryan Guay, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal and spokesperson for the Memphis Safe Task Force, added:
“Each operation we conduct alongside our partner agencies underscores the strength of interagency collaboration and our shared commitment to protecting Memphis. Through these joint efforts, drugs, guns, and repeat offenders are being removed from Memphis neighborhoods, and together we are building safer communities for Memphis families.”
Their statements suggest that the agencies involved view this as part of a broader pattern of collaborative policing designed to deter high-risk criminal behaviour.
About the Memphis Safe Task Force and Ongoing Anti-Crime Efforts
The Memphis Safe Task Force has worked alongside MPD in several operations targeting narcotics distribution centres across the city. The task force focuses on high-impact arrests, repeat offenders, and individuals suspected of driving patterns of violence.
Recent operations have been built on intensified data-driven approaches, identifying hotspots where drug trade and firearm-related incidents intersect. Boyd Street, including the blocks near Vance Avenue, has been consistently flagged due to:
- Frequent traffic stops revealing controlled substances
- Reports of gunfire associated with local conflicts
- Ongoing complaints from residents regarding open-air dealing
Efforts like Operation All of Boyd serve as part of Memphis’ wider violence-reduction strategy, which blends enforcement with community outreach and prevention programmes.
Broader Impact of Drug Enforcement in Memphis Community
Removing narcotics and illegal firearms from neighbourhoods contributes directly to lowering the risk of violence, according to law enforcement officials. Drug-driven criminal networks often overlap with local gangs, creating unsafe environments for families and businesses.
By focusing on individuals with multiple prior arrests or serious active warrants, operations like this aim to disrupt cycles of reoffending. Authorities also indicated that these targeted actions help improve public trust, particularly in communities that have faced prolonged safety concerns.
What Comes Next in the Investigation
Several of those arrested may face additional charges pending lab results, evidence review, and further interviews. MPD noted that follow-up patrols and surveillance will continue in the Boyd Street corridor to prevent re-establishment of drug activity.
The Memphis Safe Task Force confirmed that additional operations are planned throughout the winter season as part of a proactive approach to violent-crime reduction citywide.
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