Fentanyl, meth and gun switches among items seized by authorities
TENNESSEE — Fifteen Memphis residents were federally indicted this week for their alleged involvement in organized drug trafficking, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The alleged trafficking group distributed fentanyl, meth and marijuana in the Memphis area from November 2023 to June 2024.
The investigation uncovered two stolen vehicles, dozens of guns, thousands of dollars in cash, over 900 grams of meth, 540 grams of fentanyl, over 25 pounds of marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms. Authorities also seized devices called switches, which are used to make guns automatic.
The names of those indicted and their charges are listed below, and all of the defendants face varying years in prison based on the severity of their charges.
Multiple agencies investigated the case including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Memphis Police Department, the Bartlett Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
Indicted were:
Brian Lackland, 34, Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, over 500 grams of methamphetamine, and marijuana; possession of firearms during and in relation to drug trafficking crimes; and being a felon in possession of firearms;
Paul Nelson, 31, Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and over 500 grams of methamphetamine; and being a felon in possession of firearms;
Ebony Cobb, 41, Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and over 500 grams of methamphetamine;
Jerrod Cox, 31, Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl;
Darius Moore, 38, Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl;
Edgar Smith, 38, Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl;
Mervin Anderson, 38, Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl;
Courtney Davis, 28, Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl;
Timothy Achols, 36, Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl;
Jehu Cruz, 23, Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl; and possession of firearms during and in relation to drug trafficking crimes;
Mohamed Samba, 24, Conspiracy to distribute marijuana; and possession of firearms during and in relation to drug trafficking crimes;
Prentiss Broadway, 33, Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl;
Braxton Beck, 32, Federal firearms offenses and being a felon in possession of firearms;
Darion Allen, 28, Federal firearms offenses and being a felon in possession of firearms;
Delifarroe Goins, 29, Federal firearms offenses and being a felon in possession of firearms.
