MEMPHIS, TN – Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced Thursday evening that special agents in the West Tennessee Drug Task Force had secured and padlocked a Cordova restaurant and bar following an undercover drug investigation that revealed widespread illegal drug sales and usage at the establishment.
The District Attorney’s Office filed a public nuisance action against the owners and operators of the Fox and Hound English Pub and Grille, located at 819 Exocet Drive in Cordova. Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter ordered the owners and operators to court for a hearing at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 21 to answer to the allegations in the petition. Judge Potter issued a temporary injunction closing the business until at least next Monday.
The investigation into Fox and Hound in Cordova started late last year when agents learned from sources in a two separate investigations that employees of the restaurant and bar were involved in drug sales on the premises. In addition to the nuisance petition filed on Wednesday, agents obtained two arrest warrants for employees at Fox and Hound. Other arrests are forthcoming and the investigation is ongoing.
The nuisance petition states that, while undercover, Drug Task Force agents purchased illegal and prescription drugs from employees of Fox and Hound on at least five occasions between April 19 and May 20, 2010. Officers purchased marijuana, Xanax, Lortab and steroids from employees inside the restaurant and bar, and in the business’ parking lot.
The petition describes that on at least three occasions, agents in plain clothes have visited the bar and observed apparent drug sales, drug use, and arrangements being made for the purchase and use of drugs by employees and customers of the restaurant and bar.
“This restaurant is operated in a manner that allows a pattern of illegal activity,” said District Attorney Gibbons. “We contend the drug sales inside and outside the Fox and Hound put nearby law-abiding businesses and their customers at risk. We hope to work with the owners to ensure that crimes like drug sales and use do not occur at this restaurant and bar in the future,” Gibbons added.
Tennessee law states that the District Attorney General has authority to bring a civil action against any establishment deemed a nuisance. The statute defines a nuisance, in part, as “any place in or upon which… unlawful sale of any regulated legend drug, narcotic or other controlled substance…quarrelling, drunkenness, fighting, or breaches of the peace are carried on or permitted.”
The D.A.’s Office, working with investigations by law enforcement agencies, has filed petitions against the owners of more than 200 properties, both residential and businesses, under the Tennessee nuisance law. Some nuisance actions have resulted in permanent closure of the properties. Others have reopened under consent orders to alleviate the nuisance.