On Tuesday, October 29, 2008 at approximately 12:30 pm, MPD Officer Chris Collins initiated a traffic stop on a 2002 Toyota Tundra pickup truck on Interstate 40 near Airline Road. Officer Collins was assisted by Sgt. Chuck Mayes with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. 63-year old Stephen Grear was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. Subsequently Officer Collin’s canine partner “Dante” gave a positive indication on Grear’s vehicle for the presence of narcotics.

Two hundred and seventy-five (275) pounds of marijuana was recovered from Grear’s vehicle. Grear, a resident of Boise Idaho, has been charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with intent to manufacture/deliver/ sell marijuana and traffic charges.

“The Memphis Police Department is committed to the partnership with Sheriff Luttrell to combat criminal activity and maintain strict drug enforcement on our highways and interstates,” said Police Director Larry Godwin.

The Interstate Criminal Interdiction (ICI) Taskforce is staffed by officers and deputies from the Memphis Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. It was started on June 28, 2008 to address criminal activity on the interstate and major highways of Memphis Shelby County, Tennessee. Since the inception of the ICI Taskforce, over 325 pounds of marijuana, ¾ pound of cocaine, 2.4 pounds of methamphetamine, 15 vehicles, and $927, 172.00 has been confiscated by the taskforce.

“This is a fine example of how law enforcement is collaborating to make a big difference in fighting crime in Shelby County, “said Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell.

Grear is currently being held at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Complex on a $200,000.00 bond. Criminal records show Grear’s drug trafficking has dated back to 1970.

Contact:
Detective Monique Y. Martin
Office of Public Information/Media Relations
201 Poplar Ave, Room 12-08
Memphis, TN 38103
Office: (901) 545-3024
Fax: (901) 545-5740