MEMPHIS, TN – Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin and District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced Wednesday that that the MPD’s Organized Crime Unit and the D.A.’s Office have closed under the Tennessee nuisance law three properties in midtown and south Memphis where the sale and use of illegal drugs, specifically cocaine, frequently occur.
Earlier this month, Memphis police officers served or attempted to serve warrants to more than 50 alleged drug dealers indicted by the state Grand Jury for Shelby County following intensive investigations by the Memphis Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit at the locations closed on Wednesday. These defendants and the specific locations were targeted as part of the MPD’s ongoing Operation Blue CRUSH™.
The investigation concentrated on individuals making drug sales at 131 North Cleveland, 1373 Kimball and 1445 Kimball. Each property is in a location known by neighbors for high prostitution and drug activity.
The properties on Kimball are near the intersection of Elvis Presley Boulevard, which is also the location of Corry Middle School. According to the petitions filed in these cases, undercover officers observed prostitution, drug sales and the congregation of known gang members at both locations. In addition to numerous undercover drug purchases made at both locations, officers report that both 1373 and 1445 Kimball are in uninhabitable condition and used simply as places to sell and use illegal drugs and for the conduct of other illegal activity. The respondent for 1373 Kimball is Nancy Spurlin of Memphis; the respondent for 1445 Kimball is Solomon Comb, Jr. of Memphis.
According to the petition filed in the case against 131 North Cleveland, at least 11 undercover drug purchases were made there in August alone. Additionally, Memphis police officers have made numerous arrests there for outstanding warrants, as well as drug, prostitution and even aggravated assault charges. The property is close to Sacred Heart Church, located at the corner of North Cleveland and Jefferson Streets. The respondents for 131 North Cleveland are Anthony Tong of Germantown and Nga Nguyen of Memphis.
“These properties are creating dangerous environments for the law abiding citizens who live on these streets and for the children who go to school and the families who go to church in these neighborhoods,” said District Attorney Gibbons. “We are going to do what we can to rid our community of the drug traffickers and violent gang members who are terrorizing our neighborhoods,” he added.
"We will continue to address the guns, gangs and drug problems in our neighborhoods. For the families and businesses in this community, we vow to take back our streets. We will get rid of the criminal element to protect the children, our future," said Director Godwin.
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 District Attorney’s Office has filed nuisance petitions against the owners of some 30 properties since the start of 2006 under the Tennessee nuisance law.