Nashville.gov

Nine Arrested in Major Drug Investigation

An intense seven-month investigation into two criminal enterprises responsible for trafficking and distributing tremendous amounts of cocaine and marijuana onto the streets of Nashville and Middle Tennessee has resulted in the arrest of nine persons, including those who are alleged to be at the upper echelon of both ventures.

The investigation, headed by Metro police officers assigned to the 20th Judicial District Drug Task Force, has, since April 1, resulted in the seizure of 1,653 pounds of marijuana, 128 pounds of cocaine (in brick form), $608,284 cash, more than 20 vehicles, studio-quality recording equipment, electronics and various home furnishings.

“Task Force investigations, by their nature, are long and tedious as officers work to identify the large-scale drug traffickers and distributors who ultimately supply dope on street corners and in neighborhoods,” Chief Ronal Serpas said.

“This investigation is particularly significant given the amounts of drugs, money and assets seized. I am extremely proud of veteran narcotics Detective Ed Rigsby, the lead case officer, and his colleagues on the Task Force for their fine work. Nashville is safer today because of this investigation,” Serpas said.

“This is the most significant drug case Nashville has seen in some time, and the investigation is not over,” said District Attorney Torry Johnson, whose office jointly oversees Task Force operations with the police department.

“Criminal enterprises such as these demand and receive our full attention, and I want to recognize Assistant District Attorneys John Zimmermann and Tammy Meade who have been working closely with Task Force officers to advance this case to where it is today. From what this investigation has shown, our work is not over and charges against additional persons are expected,” Johnson said.

As a result of the painstaking work of Task Force officers, Darryl Jerome Moore, 39, was identified as a target of the drug trafficking investigation. Moore, an aspiring rap singer, was released from federal prison during the first quarter of 2005 after serving time resulting from a drug-related conviction in California.

On the night of April 1, officers executed a search warrant at 1001 W. Delmas Avenue, the home of Moore’s father. Seized from the house were nearly 127 pounds of cocaine concealed in duffel bags, 70 pounds of marijuana concealed in a steel drum, $159,041 cash and two guns. Arrested were Moore, Felix Mejia, 30, of Norcross, Georgia, and Jorge Lemus, 22, of West Palm Beach, Florida. Mejia and Lemus are believed to have been the couriers of the drugs.

From W. Delmas Avenue, officers traveled to Moore’s apartment at 7241 Highway 70 South, Unit # 211, in Bellevue. Seized there, in addition to $19,887 cash, electronics and household furnishings, were a 2004 Cadillac XLT sports car and a 1996 Chevrolet Impala.

From Bellevue, officers traveled to 600 Dutchmans Court, the location of Moore’s business, Grevvy Entertainment. Sound and recording equipment, with an estimated value of $100,000, was seized under the belief that it was brought with drug proceeds.

A fourth search warrant on April 1 was executed at 2307 Lloyd Avenue, a residence with ties to Moore. Seized were $24,030 cash, a 2006 Corvette, and two other vehicles.

During the investigation, officers received information about a large-scale marijuana enterprise that is believed to have as two of its principals Charles M. Farrar, 40, of Hendersonville, and David Wayne Huddleston, 48, of Nashville.

Acting on a tip, undercover officers on Wednesday of this week observed Huddleston take delivery of 600 pounds of marijuana while in the parking lot of a shopping center at 2615 Murfreesboro Pike. The marijuana was delivered by Hussein Horacio Portillo-Flores, 22, a Mexican native, who arrived at the shopping center from a house at 3120 Goodwin Drive.

Following the arrests of Huddleston and Hussein, officers went to the Goodwin Drive home and seized an additional 459 pounds of marijuana, one-half pound of cocaine, three guns, $135,606 cash and two vehicles. Arrested at the residence were Leonel Reyna, 40, of Mission, Texas, Faustino Lazano, 24, of 2479 Murfreesboro Pike, and Jessica Garza, 23, of 3120 Goodwin Drive.

At Huddleston’s 117 Hodge Court home, officers recovered 524 pounds of marijuana and nine vehicles.

From property connected to Huddleston at 3413 Hunley Drive, officers seized a black Corvette Z-6 and seven other vehicles, including a Freightliner recreational vehicle.

From property connected to Huddleston at 233 Haynes Park Drive, officers seized $269,720 cash.

From property connected to Huddleston at 3605 Hydes Ferry Pike, officers seized five trucks of various types.

From property connected to Huddleston at 2156 Baker Station Road, which consists of three detached buildings behind a fence, officers recovered a tow motor and discovered a number of large plastic bags containing the remnants of marijuana. It is believed that large amounts of marijuana were divided into smaller amounts for mid-level and street dealers at this location.

From Huddleston’s business, Titans Fans BBQ, at 3405 Clarksville Pike, officers seized four vehicles.

Farrar, who owns a plating business in Sumner County, was taken into custody by members of the 18th Judicial Drug Task Force Thursday morning. The 18th JDTF, which is overseen by District Attorney General Ray Whitley, worked closely with Nashville law enforcement to derail a drug organization that was supplying marijuana to both Davidson and Sumner Counties. Detective Kelly Murphy was the lead investigator in Sumner County.

Valuable assistance was also provided to the Task Force by the TBI, DEA, the police department’s Specialized Investigations Division and the West Precinct’s undercover drug team.

The charges against the suspects and their bonds are as follows: