MPD arrests 12 people who took part in operation targeting Memphis gang and confiscates firearms, drugs

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

Most of the people arrested were associated with the local All Off The Blade gang, sometimes called “AOB,” MPD Interim Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis said during a Tuesday morning news conference. Davis said the others arrested were “engaged in some level of criminal activity,” although they have not been confirmed to be gang members.

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

“This location is a neighborhood where many community members have suffered for many years, been held hostage in their homes for fear of gun violence, and some have themselves become victims of various crimes,” Davis said. “Throughout the city of Memphis, we have seen an increase in gun violence by some of these gang-affiliated individuals, which has made Tate Ave. and Boyd Street became centers for the gathering, planning and conduct of criminal activity.”

Davis said many of the people arrested had warrants for their arrests or were suspected of “numerous crimes over several months.”

The arrests took place on June 7 and, according to Davis, were the result of cooperation between MPD’s Organized Crime Unit, Gang Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol, enforcement agencies and other sworn law enforcement officials.

“Each unit played a critical role in ensuring the safe execution of three separate search warrants and the safe monitoring of approximately 50 potentially armed individuals inside and outside the premises of the three targeted locations,” Davis said. “Every day, these individuals – and others in crowds of 20 to 40 people – completely take over the block at Tate and Boyd, brandishing high-powered weapons, engaging in illegal drug activity and creating an atmosphere of chaos and fear.”

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

Of the 12 people arrested, 11 were charged with various crimes, and one person was charged with a misdemeanor.

Davis said 13 handguns were confiscated, two of which were stolen. Two long weapons were also seized. She said some of the guns have Glock switches attached to them, which turn the guns into fully automatic weapons.

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

Before the press conference, handguns and some of the confiscated drugs were displayed. Davis said some were not put on display because they were being checked to see if they had been used in other crimes.

“Our primary goal in this operation was to reclaim the streets of Memphis’ good neighbors who want and deserve nothing less than to live peacefully in their homes, free from illegal and dangerous weapons, drugs, blight and nuisance,” she said. “We have just started working at the Memphis Police Department. The men and women in our department are motivated, dedicated and energized to conduct more of these types of operations. While we continue to make significant progress in reducing overall crime, there is still work to be done.” to finish.”

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

This article originally appeared on the Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis police arrest 12 people in gang-targeting operation