Agents with the West Tennessee Drug Task Force say a routine warrant service in Dyersburg turned into something much bigger when they recovered a handgun investigators believe may be tied to a Missouri drive-by shooting. Inside the home, agents also reported finding drugs, cash, and other evidence, and they arrested a man on multiple drug and weapons counts. The operation involved the task force's 29th District team, with backup from the Dyer County Sheriff's Office.
What Agents Found
According to FOX13 Memphis, 29th District agents served a search warrant in the 1000 block of Lipford Circle and seized a handgun believed to be connected to the Missouri drive-by. Investigators also reported recovering roughly one pound of marijuana, two firearms in total, electronic scales, and $574 in suspected drug proceeds.
The man taken into custody was charged with possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with intent to sell, possession of a weapon during the commission of a dangerous felony and possession of drug paraphernalia, the task force said.
Charges and the Law
Tennessee law treats employing or possessing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony as a separate crime under Tennessee Code Annotated §39-17-1324, which allows judges to stack firearm penalties on top of any sentence for the underlying felony. Justia provides the full statutory text.
State law also makes it a felony to possess more than half an ounce of marijuana with the intent to sell. Roughly one pound typically falls within the Class E felony range under TCA §39-17-417. FindLaw outlines the weight thresholds and potential penalties in its Tennessee code summary.
Task Force Activity in West Tennessee
The West Tennessee Drug Task Force has been busy across the region, regularly announcing seizures that look a lot like what agents say they found in Dyersburg. In 2025, the agency reported removing nearly 1,900 pounds of drugs from West Tennessee, a sizable haul that underscores a sustained enforcement push. Yahoo News summarized that annual tally, and local outlets frequently pick up the task force’s releases on similar warrants and arrests.
WBBJ has previously carried the task force's statements on related Dyer County operations, reflecting an ongoing pattern of narcotics and weapons cases in the area.
What Happens Next
The task force says the man arrested in the Lipford Circle search faces the listed state charges, and investigators describe the case as still active. Booking and court records are expected to show the formal charges and any scheduled court dates once filings are complete.
FOX13 Memphis reports the suspect had been out on bond in an unrelated Missouri case tied to a drive-by, and prosecutors in the 29th Judicial District will handle the new Tennessee charges. Local authorities had not released additional details at the time of publication.
