Media

West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force Interdicts Large Amount of Brown Heroin on Interstate-40

MEXICAN CITIZEN ARRESTED ON FELONY DRUG CHARGE

Release Date: November 20, 2006

MEMPHIS, TN – The West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force announced that late Sunday it interdicted a large quantity of brown heroin during a traffic stop on Interstate-40 which led to the arrest of a Mexican citizen on felony drug charges.

Special Agent Kelly Nichols, assigned to the Interstate Interdiction Unit by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, seized 10 pounds and 6 ounces of brown heroin hidden inside the doors of a Ford Mustang that was stopped for speeding and following too close on eastbound I-40 near the Watkins Street exit.  A drug dog on the scene of the traffic stop gave a positive response for the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle.  The seized heroin has a wholesale value in Memphis of more than $500,000. Brown heroin has a street value in Memphis of around $30 per 1/10 gram. 

Agent Nichols arrested Sergio Ronquillo-Ramos, 41, of San Felipe, Mexico. He is charged with possession of a controlled substance (heroin) with intent to manufacture, deliver or sell. The amount of brown heroin seized makes this charge a class A felony. The defendant is being held in the Shelby County Jail on a $2,500,000 bond.

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 25th Judicial District (Fayette, Hardeman, Lauderdale, McNairy, and Tipton Counties); 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 is the director of the Task Force.  Assistant District Attorney Robert J. Carter is the Task Force’s legal advisor.

“Once again, the Interstate Interdiction Unit has proven its important role intercepting drugs coming to or through the streets of Memphis,” said Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons.

Contact:
Jennifer Donnals
Communications Director
Shelby County D.A.’s Office
901-545-5988/office
901-601-1460/cell