Thursday, August 28, 2008
West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force Makes Major I-40 Cocaine Bust
MEMPHIS, TN – The West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force interdicted a large quantity of cocaine during a traffic stop this week on Interstate-40 which led to the arrest of two individuals from Mexico—one a juvenile—on felony drug charges.
Special Agents with the Interstate Interdiction Unit on Wednesday afternoon seized 25 pounds and 6 ounces of powder cocaine from a hidden compartment in the center console of a Chrysler 300M. Sergeant B. Valentine had stopped the vehicle for violations of speeding and following too closely on eastbound I-40 near Highway 385. A narcotics detection dog positively responded to the presence of narcotic odor coming from the console of the car. A further search of the vehicle led to the drugs.
Jose Teodoro, 26, and a 17-year-old juvenile have each been charged with possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) with intent to manufacture, deliver or sell. The amount of cocaine seized makes this charge a class A felony, which carries a standard sentence of 15-25 years in prison. Teodoro is being held in the Shelby County Jail on $2 million bond; the 17-year-old defendant is in custody at Juvenile Court. The D.A.’s Office has not yet decided if a request will be made to prosecute the juvenile as an adult. Both defendants told officers they reside in Blufton, South Carolina, but are illegal immigrants from Mexico.
The Interstate Interdiction Unit has been a key element to stopping the pipeline of drugs routed through Memphis and sold in our community and in other cities. The Unit is comprised of
five officers assigned from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and five officers from the Memphis Police Department. Two additional grant paid agents assist in operational activities with the Unit. The Interstate Interdiction Unit was established by the Drug Task Force in January 2000.
The West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force is a joint agency comprised of law enforcement officers assigned from various law enforcement agencies in four of west Tennessee’s judicial districts. Of those officers, six work solely for the Task Force and not for separate law enforcement agencies.
The judicial districts include the 28th Judicial District (Crockett, Gibson, and Haywood Counties); the 29th Judicial District (Dyer and Lake Counties); and the 30th Judicial District (Shelby County). The Task Force is administered by the District Attorneys General of these districts. David McGriff, who is also the D.A.’s Chief Criminal Investigator, is the director of the Task Force. Assistant District Attorney Bobby Carter is the Task Force’s legal advisor. |
Posted on Friday, September 07, 2007 (Archive on Friday, September 14, 2007)
Posted by jdonnals Contributed by jdonnals
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