‘Taste of Hernando’ event scheduled
MPD seizes more than a ton of marijuana
Memphis Police Department officers seized more than a ton of marijuana estimated to be worth $2 million in a raid Monday, officials said.
The 2,100 pounds of pot, a .357 handgun, Xanax pills and $170,000 in cash were confiscated from a home in North Memphis. Four people were arrested in the raid.
“So often, when you see seizures this size, they’re on the interstate passing through. This was found in a home in our city,” said MPD Director Toney Armstrong, who had all of the cash and a portion of the pot spread on two tables in front of him.
“It’s an extremely bad day for the bad guys.”
The four arrested were Gabriel Diaz, 24; Aramis Diaz Jr., 36; Armando Sauceda, 37; and Rene Hernandez, 36. Each faces felony charges of attempting to deliver and sell marijuana.
OCU officers received a tip about the drugs on Sunday, police said. Officers began surveillance, and on Monday, they conducted a traffic stop, detaining a man who had 100 pounds of marijuana.
From there, they moved to a home at 4114 Reenie, where they executed a search warrant. No shots were fired, and the suspects did not resist arrest, Armstrong said.
On Tuesday, police showed the marijuana to reporters at the OCU’s Downtown headquarters. The bricks of marijuana — the size of paving stones — filled a small trailer in the parking lot.
While this isn’t the largest such seizure in MPD history, it seems to be the biggest in the last halfdozen years. Over that time, police made several seizures of more than 1,000 pounds, but none this large, according to news accounts.
“I won’t say it’s the largest, but it’s a substantial amount,” Armstrong said. Armando Sauceda “It’s a cat-and-mouse game. Today, we won.”
The Hernando Main Street Chamber of Commerce is serving up its fifth annual Taste of Hernando fundraiser on April 26 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the National Guard Armory.
“Tickets go on sale Wednesday, and we’re so excited to showcase our wonderful restaurants again this year,” said Susan Fernandez, chamber executive director.
Food samplings can be paired with a variety of beer and wines. Tickets are $20 in advance and are available at the chamber office at 2465 U. S. 51 South just north of the courthouse square. Tickets will be $25 at the door if available.
Proceeds from the event support the chamber’s ongoing programming and the DeSoto County Museum.
For more information, go online to the chamber website at hernandoms. org, call 662- 429-9055 or e-mail chamber@hernandoms.org.
Henry Bailey Jr.