$70K in jewelry, 540lbs of drugs seized after search warrant issued

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two arrests have been made after an investigation into the distribution of illegal marijuana in Memphis and Olive Branch, Mississippi.

Rodney McKinley, 33, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Manufacture/Deliver/ Sell Marijuana, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, and Theft of a Firearm less than $2,500.

Justin Thompson, 22, has an open warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Manufacture/Deliver/ Sell Marijuana. He is currently in custody in Mississippi.

According to the Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit HORT team, they investigated for six months.

Below are the following results of the investigation:

• 4 search warrants
• 2 arrests
• 540 pounds of marijuana
• 2 stolen firearms
• Over $180, 000 in cash
• $70,000 in jewelry

On October 12, 2023, detectives with the OCU seized 307 pounds of marijuana after executing a narcotics search warrant at 2041 Madison Avenue.

The marijuana was packaged in vacuum-sealed bags and packed inside cardboard boxes.

That is when Justin Thompson was identified as a suspect. He was not located during the search.

On March 19, 2024, 232 pounds of marijuana was seized after another narcotics search warrant was served at 5896 Fox Lair Avenue.

On April 17, 2024, a pound and a half of illegal marijuana, a stolen firearm, $70k in jewelry, and over $180,000 were seized during a search warrant execution in Olive Branch.

Detectives also say when they executed a search warrant at 1821 Black Bear Circle, where they found over $5,000 and a stolen firearm. Rodney McKinley was taken into custody at that time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.